Defensive lapses cost Air Force in midweek loss at #1 Texas A&M

COLLEGE STATION- Trailing just 5-3 entering the bottom of the 5th, two Air Force errors opened the door for six unearned runs, as the Falcons early-game momentum was put to a halt in Tuesday's 15-5 loss at #1 Texas A&M. The game was called after seven innings due to an agreed upon 10-run rule.

Chase Spencer welcomed the return to his home state, as the Falcons leadoff hitter finished a perfect 4-4, including a solo home run in the 7th inning. The homer was Spencer's third of the year, as Tuesday marks his first four-hit game of the spring.

In the 2nd, Jake Greiving slugged his sixth home run of the year, a solo homer, to score the first Air Force run. He finished 2-3, adding a double in the 6th.

Zach Peters was 1-3, picking up an RBI with a sacrifice fly, while Sam Kulasingam was 1-4 after a base-hit in his final plate appearance.

Making his first start of the spring, Kyle Moats allowed three runs as the result of two home runs in his first inning of work before retiring the side in order in the 2nd. The senior southpaw struck out two in his 2.0 innings pitched.

Bowen Brantingham followed Moats, entering in the 3rd, and was responsible for two runs over 1.1 innings. The freshman stranded the bases-loaded in the 3rd, though a leadoff hit-batter in the 4th would eventually score after an RBI triple.

Jimmy Hebenstreit was called upon in the 4th, entering with runners on the corners and one out. Hebenstreit did well to allow just one inherited run to score, as Air Force trailed by two runs entering the 5th.

After the Falcons brought the minimum to the plate in the top of the 5th, miscues in the field in the bottom half would eventually be Air Force's undoing.

The inning began with an error at first base, as Jones' foot came off the bag to create a leadoff baserunner. The mistake was followed by a sacrifice bunt and consecutive singles to bring the lead to 6-3. Now with runners at the corners, a squibber in front of home plate was thrown into center field by Walker Zapp, allowing another run to score to grow the deficit to 7-3.

Gaines Estridge inherited runners at the corners and one out, where he surrendered three-consecutive hits before inducing a fielder's choice and a groundout to end the 5th.

Air Force trailed 11-3 entering the 6th.

The Falcons would score two runs over the next two innings, though the top-ranked Aggies and their vaunted offense continued to pile on, as a sacrifice fly in the 7th created a 15-5 lead, ending the ballgame.

The Falcons pitching staff was on the hook for seven walks, three-hit batters, and seven extra-base hits.

After Tuesday, Air Force is 1-8 in midweek games this season.

Next, the Falcons return home to host conference foe New Mexico for a three-game series starting Friday, April 19.

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