Wednesday, March 6
Auburn, AL
12:00 pm MT
Air Force Academy
at
Auburn
Photo by: Caroline Friedrick
Air Force to face Auburn in first-ever meeting
3/5/2024 2:35:00 PM | Baseball
Schedule
Wed: at #19 Auburn, 12:00 pm MT
Broadcast Information
Watch: SEC Network+
Live Stats: SIDEARM Live Stats
Twitter: @AF_Baseball
Series History
-Wednesday marks the first meeting between the two schools.
Pitching Probables
Wed: RHP Patrick Davidson (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. RHP Conner McBride (1-0, 2.08 ERA)
Projected Lineup (2024 OPS)
1. R/R, Aerik Joe, SS (.603 OPS)
2. L/R, Jay Thomason, 3B (1.065 OPS)
3. L/R, Jake Greiving, RF (.959 OPS)
4. S/R, Sam Kulasingam, 1B (.585 OPS)
5. R/R, Chris Stallings, LF (1.009 OPS)
6. R/R, Chase Spencer, CF (.699 OPS)
7. R/R, T.J. Oster, DH (.600 OPS)
8. R/R, Walker Zapp, C (.582 OPS)
9. L/R, Ben Niednagel, 2B (.167 OPS)
Recent Woes
-Following Air Force's sweep of Navy at the Freedom Classic, the Falcons have lost four-consecutive ballgames.
-Air Force has been outscored 42-21 in that four-game stretch.
-The Falcons managed just a .232 team batting average in the three games at the Battle at the Ballpark.
-On the pitching side, Air Force posted an 11.63 ERA in the three Battle at the Ballpark matchups.
In Search of Clutch
-In 11 games this season, Air Force is hitting just .210 with runners in scoring position.
-As well, Air Force is 2-11 (.182) with the bases-loaded so far this spring.
-With 88% of the team at-bats coming against right-handed arms this season, the Falcons are hitting only .239 against righties.
-Air Force has managed a .484 OBP to lead off innings, creating opportunities abound.
A Tale of Two Games
-Air Force is currently outscoring opponents 39-29 in the first four innings of games this season.
-However, from the 5th inning on, Air Force has been outscored 43-17.
Aer-ing It Out
-Aerik Joe has been a key out of the leadoff spot, having reached base in all 11 games this season.
-Joe is one of three Falcons to have reached base in all eight games this season.
-As a result, he still owns what is now a 45-game on-base streak.
-Joe is one of four Falcons with at least three multi-hit games in 2024.
He Hits Bombs, Son
-Jay Thomason has began his final season at Air Force with authority, leading the team in batting average (.364), slugging pct. (.614), runs scored (12), hits (16), and total bases (27).
-With two home runs already this spring, Thomason now sits at 39 career home runs, 11 shy of tying Nic Ready for the program record in career homers (50).
-Thomason leads the team with a .405 average against righties, and is hitting .333 with runners in scoring position.
-The lefty slugger has reached base in all 11 games this season, owning a nine-game hitting streak.
-He's tied with Chris Stallings for the team lead with four multi-hit games.
STALLwart
-Chris Stallings, another C1C, has provided proper thump in the middle of the Falcons lineup.
-Stallings' .324 average is second among Air Force hitters, as he owns the team lead with 12 RBI.
-He's also one of only four Falcons to homer so far this spring.
-His five stolen bases are tied for the team-high with Chase Spencer.
-Stallings was named to the Battle at the Ballpark All-Tournament Team after going 2-8 with 1 HR, 3 RBIs and 5 BB's in three games.
Stallings leads Air Force with four multi-RBI games.
He's Seeing Red
-Jake Greiving, nicknamed "Bull", has seen his bat round out to form early for Air Force.
-Greiving's .605 SLG% is second only to Thomason among Falcons, as are his 26 total bases.
-His 10 RBIs are behind only Thomason for the team lead.
-The C1C is riding a nine-game hitting streak, as his three home runs are a team best.
-He's tied with Stallings for the team lead with three multi-RBI games.
-Reversely, Greiving is 5-9 (.556) against fellow left-handers.
Born to Run
-Through 11 games, Air Force is 19-22 (86%) in stolen base tries this season.
-The Falcons 19 stolen bases is tops among Mountain West teams.
Home Cookin'
-Jay Thomason, Walker Zapp, and Patrick Davidson each hail from Auburn, Alabama, as all three players attended Auburn High School before their time at the Air Force Academy.
-Freshman Patrick Davidson is slated to make his first-career start on the mound against the Tigers on Wednesday.
Mike Kazlausky receives Wakin Award for Character, Leadership Development
Head baseball coach Mike Kazlausky was presented the Brigadier General Malham M. Wakin Award by Superintendent Lt. General Richard M. Clark, an honor bestowed upon the Falcons' skipper for his commitment to developing leaders of character.
Brigadier General Malham "Mal" Wakin joined the Air Force in 1953 and taught at the U.S. Air Force Academy from 1959 to 1995. After military retirement he continued teaching at the Academy until 2016. During his tenure he served as the head of the Department of Philosophy and was recognized as Emeritus Professor of Philosophy.
In 1998, the Center for Character and Leadership Development created the Brigadier General Malham M. Wakin Award for Character and Leadership Development, recognizing him as an esteemed role model.
The Wakin Award is used to recognize individuals or teams that have fostered character and leadership development consistent with our Leader of Character framework.
Kazlausky, having just began his 14th season as head coach at Air Force, is a 1991 Academy graduate. He is the first Academy graduate to become head baseball coach at Air Force and is the program's first military coach since 1988. Kazlausky retired with the rank of major after 20 years of meritorious service with the U.S. Air Force.
On Deck
-Following Wednesday's game at Auburn, Air Force will travel to California for a three-game series against San Jose State to begin conference play. The series is scheduled to begin March 8 at 7:00 pm MT.
Wed: at #19 Auburn, 12:00 pm MT
Broadcast Information
Watch: SEC Network+
Live Stats: SIDEARM Live Stats
Twitter: @AF_Baseball
Series History
-Wednesday marks the first meeting between the two schools.
Pitching Probables
Wed: RHP Patrick Davidson (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. RHP Conner McBride (1-0, 2.08 ERA)
Projected Lineup (2024 OPS)
1. R/R, Aerik Joe, SS (.603 OPS)
2. L/R, Jay Thomason, 3B (1.065 OPS)
3. L/R, Jake Greiving, RF (.959 OPS)
4. S/R, Sam Kulasingam, 1B (.585 OPS)
5. R/R, Chris Stallings, LF (1.009 OPS)
6. R/R, Chase Spencer, CF (.699 OPS)
7. R/R, T.J. Oster, DH (.600 OPS)
8. R/R, Walker Zapp, C (.582 OPS)
9. L/R, Ben Niednagel, 2B (.167 OPS)
Recent Woes
-Following Air Force's sweep of Navy at the Freedom Classic, the Falcons have lost four-consecutive ballgames.
-Air Force has been outscored 42-21 in that four-game stretch.
-The Falcons managed just a .232 team batting average in the three games at the Battle at the Ballpark.
-On the pitching side, Air Force posted an 11.63 ERA in the three Battle at the Ballpark matchups.
In Search of Clutch
-In 11 games this season, Air Force is hitting just .210 with runners in scoring position.
-As well, Air Force is 2-11 (.182) with the bases-loaded so far this spring.
-With 88% of the team at-bats coming against right-handed arms this season, the Falcons are hitting only .239 against righties.
-Air Force has managed a .484 OBP to lead off innings, creating opportunities abound.
A Tale of Two Games
-Air Force is currently outscoring opponents 39-29 in the first four innings of games this season.
-However, from the 5th inning on, Air Force has been outscored 43-17.
Aer-ing It Out
-Aerik Joe has been a key out of the leadoff spot, having reached base in all 11 games this season.
-Joe is one of three Falcons to have reached base in all eight games this season.
-As a result, he still owns what is now a 45-game on-base streak.
-Joe is one of four Falcons with at least three multi-hit games in 2024.
He Hits Bombs, Son
-Jay Thomason has began his final season at Air Force with authority, leading the team in batting average (.364), slugging pct. (.614), runs scored (12), hits (16), and total bases (27).
-With two home runs already this spring, Thomason now sits at 39 career home runs, 11 shy of tying Nic Ready for the program record in career homers (50).
-Thomason leads the team with a .405 average against righties, and is hitting .333 with runners in scoring position.
-The lefty slugger has reached base in all 11 games this season, owning a nine-game hitting streak.
-He's tied with Chris Stallings for the team lead with four multi-hit games.
STALLwart
-Chris Stallings, another C1C, has provided proper thump in the middle of the Falcons lineup.
-Stallings' .324 average is second among Air Force hitters, as he owns the team lead with 12 RBI.
-He's also one of only four Falcons to homer so far this spring.
-His five stolen bases are tied for the team-high with Chase Spencer.
-Stallings was named to the Battle at the Ballpark All-Tournament Team after going 2-8 with 1 HR, 3 RBIs and 5 BB's in three games.
Stallings leads Air Force with four multi-RBI games.
He's Seeing Red
-Jake Greiving, nicknamed "Bull", has seen his bat round out to form early for Air Force.
-Greiving's .605 SLG% is second only to Thomason among Falcons, as are his 26 total bases.
-His 10 RBIs are behind only Thomason for the team lead.
-The C1C is riding a nine-game hitting streak, as his three home runs are a team best.
-He's tied with Stallings for the team lead with three multi-RBI games.
-Reversely, Greiving is 5-9 (.556) against fellow left-handers.
Born to Run
-Through 11 games, Air Force is 19-22 (86%) in stolen base tries this season.
-The Falcons 19 stolen bases is tops among Mountain West teams.
Home Cookin'
-Jay Thomason, Walker Zapp, and Patrick Davidson each hail from Auburn, Alabama, as all three players attended Auburn High School before their time at the Air Force Academy.
-Freshman Patrick Davidson is slated to make his first-career start on the mound against the Tigers on Wednesday.
Mike Kazlausky receives Wakin Award for Character, Leadership Development
Head baseball coach Mike Kazlausky was presented the Brigadier General Malham M. Wakin Award by Superintendent Lt. General Richard M. Clark, an honor bestowed upon the Falcons' skipper for his commitment to developing leaders of character.
Brigadier General Malham "Mal" Wakin joined the Air Force in 1953 and taught at the U.S. Air Force Academy from 1959 to 1995. After military retirement he continued teaching at the Academy until 2016. During his tenure he served as the head of the Department of Philosophy and was recognized as Emeritus Professor of Philosophy.
In 1998, the Center for Character and Leadership Development created the Brigadier General Malham M. Wakin Award for Character and Leadership Development, recognizing him as an esteemed role model.
The Wakin Award is used to recognize individuals or teams that have fostered character and leadership development consistent with our Leader of Character framework.
Kazlausky, having just began his 14th season as head coach at Air Force, is a 1991 Academy graduate. He is the first Academy graduate to become head baseball coach at Air Force and is the program's first military coach since 1988. Kazlausky retired with the rank of major after 20 years of meritorious service with the U.S. Air Force.
On Deck
-Following Wednesday's game at Auburn, Air Force will travel to California for a three-game series against San Jose State to begin conference play. The series is scheduled to begin March 8 at 7:00 pm MT.
Players Mentioned
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/ BaseballFalcons close home season with a walk off win
Sunday, May 10
Falcons close home season with a walk off win
Sunday, May 10
Falcons drop game two to Washington State
Saturday, May 09
Falcons drop the first game of the series against Washington State
Friday, May 08
