Friday, March 8
San Jose, CA
7:00 pm MT
Air Force Academy
at
San Jose State University
Photo by: Caroline Friedrick
Falcons begin conference play against Spartans
3/7/2024 4:00:00 PM | Baseball
Schedule
Fri: at San Jose State, 7:00 pm MT
Sat: at San Jose State, 3:00 pm MT
Sun: at San Jose State, 1:00 pm MT
Broadcast Information
Watch: Mountain West Network
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Twitter: @AF_Baseball
Series History
-Since 1959, Air Force is 36-23 against San Jose State
-In 2023, the Falcons were 6-4 against the Spartans.
-However, Air Force, one win away from repeating as MW champions, were bested in consecutive games to see San Jose State earn the conference tournament title.
Pitching Probables
Fri: LHP Seungmin Shim (1-0, 2.87 ERA) vs. LHP Ethan Ross (0-3, 10.03 ERA)
Sat: RHP Dylan Rogers (1-1, 6.00 ERA) vs.LHP Mickey Thompson (0-1, 13.87 ERA)
Sun: RHP Ben Weber (0-1, 6.75 ERA) vs. TBA
Projected Lineup (2024 OPS)
1. R/R, Aerik Joe, SS (.647 OPS)
2. S/R, Sam Kulasingam, 1B (.651 OPS)
3. L/R, Jay Thomason, 3B (1.062 OPS)
4. R/R, Chris Stallings, LF (1.085 OPS)
5. L/R, Jake Greiving, RF (.903 OPS)
6. R/R, Chase Spencer, CF (.669 OPS)
7. R/L, Jack Bello, DH (.795 OPS)
8. R/R, Walker Zapp, C (.572 OPS)
9. R/R, T.J. Oster, 2B (.600 OPS)
Recent Woes
-Following Air Force's sweep of Navy at the Freedom Classic, the Falcons have lost five-consecutive ballgames.
-Air Force has been outscored 50-25 in that five-game stretch.
-The Falcons have managed a team batting average of .270 in that stretch, though on the pitching side, Air Force is carrying a 9.90 team ERA over the past five games.
In Search of Clutch
-In 12 games this season, Air Force is hitting just .206 with runners in scoring position.
-As well, Air Force is 2-12 (.167) 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 .244 against righties.
-Air Force has managed a .500 OBP to lead off innings, creating opportunities abound.
A Tale of Two Games
-Air Force is currently outscoring opponents 41-35 in the first four innings of games this season.
-However, from the 5th inning on, Air Force has been outscored 45-19.
Aer-ing It Out
-Aerik Joe has been a key out of the leadoff spot, having reached base in all 12 games this season.
-Joe is one of three Falcons to have reached base in all 12 games this season.
-As a result, he still owns what is now a 46-game on-base streak.
-Joe is one of four Falcons with at least four multi-hit games in 2024.
He Hits Bombs, Son
-Jay Thomason has begun his final season at Air Force with authority, leading the team in slugging pct. (.614), runs scored (13), hits (17), and total bases (31).
-With three home runs already this spring, Thomason now sits at 40 career home runs, 10 shy of tying Nic Ready for the program record in career homers (50).
-On Wednesday, Thomason became only the fourth player in Air Force history to record 40+ career home runs.
-Thomason leads the team with a .390 average against righties.
-The lefty slugger has reached base in all 12 games this season, owning a 10-game hitting streak.
STALLwart
-Chris Stallings, another C1C, has provided proper thump in the middle of the Falcons lineup.
-Stallings' .366 average leads all Air Force hitters, as he owns the team lead with 14 RBI.
-Nine of his 14 RBIs have come with two outs.
-Stallings also leads all Falcons in OBP (.500), walks (11).
-He's also one of only four Falcons to homer so far this spring.
-His six stolen bases are tied for the team-high with Chase Spencer.
-Impressively, the C1C is 10-19 (.526) with RISP.
Stallings leads Air Force with five multi-hit and 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 .563 SLG% is third among Falcons, as is his .292 average
-His 10 RBIs are behind only Stallings for the team lead.
-The C1C is riding a 10-game hitting streak, as his three home runs are tied for the team best.
-Reversely, Greiving is 5-10 (.500) against fellow left-handers.
Cha Cha Real Smooth
-Chase Spencer has been a steady presence for Air Force.
-His six stolen bases are tied with Stallings for the team lead, and has yet to be caught.
-Spencer also leads the team in sacrifice flies (2).
-Having reached base in all 12 games this season, Spencer is also riding a 10-game hitting streak.
Born to Run
-Through 12 games, Air Force is 21-24 (88%) in stolen base tries this season.
-The Falcons 21 stolen bases is tops among Mountain West teams, as are the 24 attempts.
Senior Stopgaps
-C1C's Seungmin Shim and Doyle Gehring have been credited with three of Air Force's four wins this season.
-Shim owns the team lead in ERA (2.87), currently sporting a 10.9 K/9.
-Meanwhile Gehring is holding opponents to a .229 BA, including a .167 figure with two outs.
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 the weekend series at San Jose State, Air Force will make its home debut with a three-game series against San Diego State beginning Friday, March 15.
Fri: at San Jose State, 7:00 pm MT
Sat: at San Jose State, 3:00 pm MT
Sun: at San Jose State, 1:00 pm MT
Broadcast Information
Watch: Mountain West Network
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Twitter: @AF_Baseball
Series History
-Since 1959, Air Force is 36-23 against San Jose State
-In 2023, the Falcons were 6-4 against the Spartans.
-However, Air Force, one win away from repeating as MW champions, were bested in consecutive games to see San Jose State earn the conference tournament title.
Pitching Probables
Fri: LHP Seungmin Shim (1-0, 2.87 ERA) vs. LHP Ethan Ross (0-3, 10.03 ERA)
Sat: RHP Dylan Rogers (1-1, 6.00 ERA) vs.LHP Mickey Thompson (0-1, 13.87 ERA)
Sun: RHP Ben Weber (0-1, 6.75 ERA) vs. TBA
Projected Lineup (2024 OPS)
1. R/R, Aerik Joe, SS (.647 OPS)
2. S/R, Sam Kulasingam, 1B (.651 OPS)
3. L/R, Jay Thomason, 3B (1.062 OPS)
4. R/R, Chris Stallings, LF (1.085 OPS)
5. L/R, Jake Greiving, RF (.903 OPS)
6. R/R, Chase Spencer, CF (.669 OPS)
7. R/L, Jack Bello, DH (.795 OPS)
8. R/R, Walker Zapp, C (.572 OPS)
9. R/R, T.J. Oster, 2B (.600 OPS)
Recent Woes
-Following Air Force's sweep of Navy at the Freedom Classic, the Falcons have lost five-consecutive ballgames.
-Air Force has been outscored 50-25 in that five-game stretch.
-The Falcons have managed a team batting average of .270 in that stretch, though on the pitching side, Air Force is carrying a 9.90 team ERA over the past five games.
In Search of Clutch
-In 12 games this season, Air Force is hitting just .206 with runners in scoring position.
-As well, Air Force is 2-12 (.167) 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 .244 against righties.
-Air Force has managed a .500 OBP to lead off innings, creating opportunities abound.
A Tale of Two Games
-Air Force is currently outscoring opponents 41-35 in the first four innings of games this season.
-However, from the 5th inning on, Air Force has been outscored 45-19.
Aer-ing It Out
-Aerik Joe has been a key out of the leadoff spot, having reached base in all 12 games this season.
-Joe is one of three Falcons to have reached base in all 12 games this season.
-As a result, he still owns what is now a 46-game on-base streak.
-Joe is one of four Falcons with at least four multi-hit games in 2024.
He Hits Bombs, Son
-Jay Thomason has begun his final season at Air Force with authority, leading the team in slugging pct. (.614), runs scored (13), hits (17), and total bases (31).
-With three home runs already this spring, Thomason now sits at 40 career home runs, 10 shy of tying Nic Ready for the program record in career homers (50).
-On Wednesday, Thomason became only the fourth player in Air Force history to record 40+ career home runs.
-Thomason leads the team with a .390 average against righties.
-The lefty slugger has reached base in all 12 games this season, owning a 10-game hitting streak.
STALLwart
-Chris Stallings, another C1C, has provided proper thump in the middle of the Falcons lineup.
-Stallings' .366 average leads all Air Force hitters, as he owns the team lead with 14 RBI.
-Nine of his 14 RBIs have come with two outs.
-Stallings also leads all Falcons in OBP (.500), walks (11).
-He's also one of only four Falcons to homer so far this spring.
-His six stolen bases are tied for the team-high with Chase Spencer.
-Impressively, the C1C is 10-19 (.526) with RISP.
Stallings leads Air Force with five multi-hit and 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 .563 SLG% is third among Falcons, as is his .292 average
-His 10 RBIs are behind only Stallings for the team lead.
-The C1C is riding a 10-game hitting streak, as his three home runs are tied for the team best.
-Reversely, Greiving is 5-10 (.500) against fellow left-handers.
Cha Cha Real Smooth
-Chase Spencer has been a steady presence for Air Force.
-His six stolen bases are tied with Stallings for the team lead, and has yet to be caught.
-Spencer also leads the team in sacrifice flies (2).
-Having reached base in all 12 games this season, Spencer is also riding a 10-game hitting streak.
Born to Run
-Through 12 games, Air Force is 21-24 (88%) in stolen base tries this season.
-The Falcons 21 stolen bases is tops among Mountain West teams, as are the 24 attempts.
Senior Stopgaps
-C1C's Seungmin Shim and Doyle Gehring have been credited with three of Air Force's four wins this season.
-Shim owns the team lead in ERA (2.87), currently sporting a 10.9 K/9.
-Meanwhile Gehring is holding opponents to a .229 BA, including a .167 figure with two outs.
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 the weekend series at San Jose State, Air Force will make its home debut with a three-game series against San Diego State beginning Friday, March 15.
Players Mentioned
LHP/1B
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
OF/DH
/ Baseball
IF
/ Baseball
IF
/ Baseball
RHP
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LHP
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OF/RHP
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OF
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IF
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