Thursday, May 23
San Diego, CA
7:00 pm MT
Air Force Academy
vs
Fresno State
Photo by: Zack Howard
Air Force heads to San Diego as top seed
5/22/2024 6:15:00 PM | Baseball
Schedule
Thu: vs. Fresno State, 7:00 pm MT
Broadcast Information
Watch: Mountain West Network
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Twitter: @AF_Baseball
Series History
-Since 1997, Air Force is 25-39 against Fresno State.
-Air Force finished the 2024 spring 4-2 against Fresno State, including a three-game sweep in the final series of the regular season to clinch the Mountain West regular season title.
-The Falcons are 10-5 in their last 15 games against the Bulldogs.
Pitching Probables
Thu: LHP Seungmin Shim (7-2, 3.31 ERA) vs. TBA
Projected Lineup (2024 OPS)
1. R/R, Chase Spencer, CF (.912 OPS)
2. S/R, Sam Kulasingam, 2B (.874 OPS)
3. L/R, Jay Thomason, 3B (1.230 OPS)
4. R/R, Charlie Jones, 1B (1.104 OPS)
5. L/R, Jake Greiving, RF (.846 OPS)
6. R/R, Zach Peters, LF (.818 OPS)
7. L/L, Tripp Garrish, DH (.971 OPS)
8. R/R, Walker Zapp, C (.739 OPS)
9. R/R, Aerik Joe, SS (.659 OPS)
For the First Time, In a Long Time
-On Saturday, May 18, Air Force clinched its first-ever regular season Mountain West title since joining the conference in 2000.
-The Falcons 18 conference wins are tied for the most in a single season since joining the Mountain West, matching the 2021 total.
-Air Force's 18-12 conference record equates to a .600 winning percentage, the highest for the program in its 24-year Mountain West affiliation.
-The 2024 graduating class has accumulated a record of 112-108, the most successful four-year stretch in Air Force's Mountain West history.
Child's Play
-After earning his first-career Mountain West Player of the Week honor on May 6, Jones was again named the conference's Player of the Week on May 20.
-Jones was 6-13 (.462) at the plate in three games, including two home runs and two doubles, leading to a slugging percentage of 1.077 in that span. Over the final two games of the weekend, Jones was 5-9, driving in nine runs. He will enter the Mountain West Tournament having driven in 25 runs in his last 10 games.
-In the Falcons 14-13 walk-off win on Friday, May 17, Jones produced a solo home run as well as a two-run double to help Air Force secure a berth in the conference tournament. In the regular season finale, Jones was responsible for a career-high six RBIs, as his grand slam in the 7th inning created a 10-1 lead in the game's final inning. Jones also doubled home two runs in the 1st to build an early lead for his dugout. Jones' work at the plate was crucial to Air Force initiating the 10-run mercy rule to complete the three-game sweep of Fresno State.
-In 37 games this season, Jones owns a 1.104 OPS, as his 12 HR's and 50 RBIs trail only Jay Thomason for the team lead. He has managed at least one hit in 13 of the last 14 games. Jones is the first Air Force player to win the Mountain West Player of the Week award twice in a single season since Paul Skenes in 2022.
Thomason Breaks Home Run Records
-Jay Thomason entered the Falcons April 23 ballgame at Northern Colorado tied with Nic Ready for the most home runs in an Air Force career, and he departed Jackson Field having broken the deadlock. Thomason slugged his 14th home run of the spring and the 51st of his Falcon career in his first plate appearance, surpassing Ready's record of 50 career homers set in 2019.
-Following a 3-4 day at the plate on May 17 with three extra-base hits, Jay Thomason became the Mountain West's all-time home run leader on as his two-run home run in the 4th tied the game at 4-4. Thomason also homered in the 6th, launching a solo shot.
Now with 56 career home runs, Thomason surpassed Sean McNaughton, who set the previous career record of 54 in 2010.
-As well, Thomason leads Air Force in batting average (.366), slugging (.767), OBP (.463), runs scored (68), hits (74), RBIs (52), total bases (155) and walks (30). He has also reached in each of the last 16 games.
He's Very Much Back
-Sam Kulasingam, the reigning two-time MW Player of the Year, has regained his groove at the plate in the second half of the season.
-Hitting just .200 over his first 13 games, Kulasingam has rebounded to own a current .312 average.
-In his past 13 games, Kulasingam is 22-58 (.379) with nine extra-base hits.
-Kulasingam has 20 multi-hit games in 52 games this season, and is currently in possession of a 23-game on-base streak.
-Kulasingam is 1 hit away (299) from tying Nic Ready's all-time Air Force hit record of 300, and is one double shy (77) of breaking Garrett Custon's all-time doubles record at Air Force.
Chase, Chase, In Your Face
-Chase Spencer has been a table-setter for the Air Force lineup.
-His 26 stolen bases lead all Mountain West players.
-Spencer becomes just the eighth player in Falcons history to record at least 26 steals in a single season.
-A season ago, Spencer led all Mountain West players with 18 stolen bases.
-As well, Spencer has picked up at least one hit in 43 of 52 games this season.
-Spencer also currently owns a 20-game on-base streak and an 11-game hitting streak, matching his previous season high.
A Little Garrish on Your Plate
-Tripp Garrish broke a 5-27 (.185) spell at the plate with a 6-8 (.750) weekend against Fresno State.
-Garrish managed two hits in all three games, including four extra-base hits over the weekend (1 HR, 3 2B's).
-In total, Garrish reached base in 11 of his 13 plate appearances to close the regular season.
He is Shim
-In 14 starts this season, Seungmin Shim owns a 3.31 ERA and an 8.38 K/9.
-His 3.31 ERA is the lowest in the conference among starting pitchers.
-Shim's 81 strikeouts were third-most in the Mountain West during the regular season.
-Shim also has produced a 1.76 GO/FO ratio, crucial to success at Erdle Field.
-Shim's seven pickoffs led the Mountain West.
-The left-hander has pitched at least 5.0 innings in 12 of 14 starts, and has reached 7.0+ innings in eight of 14 starts.
-Shim entered his senior season with a career ERA of 7.53.
Doyle Rules
-Closer Doyle Gehring has been the Falcons bullpen ace during the 2024 season.
-Gehring's nine saves led the conference at the end of the regular season, and are a new career-high for the senior.
-Gehring is just the fifth Air Force pitcher to ever record at least nine saves in a season.
-With 17 career saves, Gehring sits second all-time in program history in the category.
-His 4.70 ERA is fifth-lowest among qualified arms in the conference, while his .257 opponent batting average is also fifth-lowest.
Born to Run
-Through 52 games, Air Force is 92-111 (83%) in stolen base tries this season.
-The Falcons 92 stolen bases are tops among Mountain West teams, and rank 33rd of 295 Division I teams.
-The 2024 spring marks just the fifth year in school history the Falcons have reached 90+ stolen bases.
Thu: vs. Fresno State, 7:00 pm MT
Broadcast Information
Watch: Mountain West Network
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Twitter: @AF_Baseball
Series History
-Since 1997, Air Force is 25-39 against Fresno State.
-Air Force finished the 2024 spring 4-2 against Fresno State, including a three-game sweep in the final series of the regular season to clinch the Mountain West regular season title.
-The Falcons are 10-5 in their last 15 games against the Bulldogs.
Pitching Probables
Thu: LHP Seungmin Shim (7-2, 3.31 ERA) vs. TBA
Projected Lineup (2024 OPS)
1. R/R, Chase Spencer, CF (.912 OPS)
2. S/R, Sam Kulasingam, 2B (.874 OPS)
3. L/R, Jay Thomason, 3B (1.230 OPS)
4. R/R, Charlie Jones, 1B (1.104 OPS)
5. L/R, Jake Greiving, RF (.846 OPS)
6. R/R, Zach Peters, LF (.818 OPS)
7. L/L, Tripp Garrish, DH (.971 OPS)
8. R/R, Walker Zapp, C (.739 OPS)
9. R/R, Aerik Joe, SS (.659 OPS)
For the First Time, In a Long Time
-On Saturday, May 18, Air Force clinched its first-ever regular season Mountain West title since joining the conference in 2000.
-The Falcons 18 conference wins are tied for the most in a single season since joining the Mountain West, matching the 2021 total.
-Air Force's 18-12 conference record equates to a .600 winning percentage, the highest for the program in its 24-year Mountain West affiliation.
-The 2024 graduating class has accumulated a record of 112-108, the most successful four-year stretch in Air Force's Mountain West history.
Child's Play
-After earning his first-career Mountain West Player of the Week honor on May 6, Jones was again named the conference's Player of the Week on May 20.
-Jones was 6-13 (.462) at the plate in three games, including two home runs and two doubles, leading to a slugging percentage of 1.077 in that span. Over the final two games of the weekend, Jones was 5-9, driving in nine runs. He will enter the Mountain West Tournament having driven in 25 runs in his last 10 games.
-In the Falcons 14-13 walk-off win on Friday, May 17, Jones produced a solo home run as well as a two-run double to help Air Force secure a berth in the conference tournament. In the regular season finale, Jones was responsible for a career-high six RBIs, as his grand slam in the 7th inning created a 10-1 lead in the game's final inning. Jones also doubled home two runs in the 1st to build an early lead for his dugout. Jones' work at the plate was crucial to Air Force initiating the 10-run mercy rule to complete the three-game sweep of Fresno State.
-In 37 games this season, Jones owns a 1.104 OPS, as his 12 HR's and 50 RBIs trail only Jay Thomason for the team lead. He has managed at least one hit in 13 of the last 14 games. Jones is the first Air Force player to win the Mountain West Player of the Week award twice in a single season since Paul Skenes in 2022.
Thomason Breaks Home Run Records
-Jay Thomason entered the Falcons April 23 ballgame at Northern Colorado tied with Nic Ready for the most home runs in an Air Force career, and he departed Jackson Field having broken the deadlock. Thomason slugged his 14th home run of the spring and the 51st of his Falcon career in his first plate appearance, surpassing Ready's record of 50 career homers set in 2019.
-Following a 3-4 day at the plate on May 17 with three extra-base hits, Jay Thomason became the Mountain West's all-time home run leader on as his two-run home run in the 4th tied the game at 4-4. Thomason also homered in the 6th, launching a solo shot.
Now with 56 career home runs, Thomason surpassed Sean McNaughton, who set the previous career record of 54 in 2010.
-As well, Thomason leads Air Force in batting average (.366), slugging (.767), OBP (.463), runs scored (68), hits (74), RBIs (52), total bases (155) and walks (30). He has also reached in each of the last 16 games.
He's Very Much Back
-Sam Kulasingam, the reigning two-time MW Player of the Year, has regained his groove at the plate in the second half of the season.
-Hitting just .200 over his first 13 games, Kulasingam has rebounded to own a current .312 average.
-In his past 13 games, Kulasingam is 22-58 (.379) with nine extra-base hits.
-Kulasingam has 20 multi-hit games in 52 games this season, and is currently in possession of a 23-game on-base streak.
-Kulasingam is 1 hit away (299) from tying Nic Ready's all-time Air Force hit record of 300, and is one double shy (77) of breaking Garrett Custon's all-time doubles record at Air Force.
Chase, Chase, In Your Face
-Chase Spencer has been a table-setter for the Air Force lineup.
-His 26 stolen bases lead all Mountain West players.
-Spencer becomes just the eighth player in Falcons history to record at least 26 steals in a single season.
-A season ago, Spencer led all Mountain West players with 18 stolen bases.
-As well, Spencer has picked up at least one hit in 43 of 52 games this season.
-Spencer also currently owns a 20-game on-base streak and an 11-game hitting streak, matching his previous season high.
A Little Garrish on Your Plate
-Tripp Garrish broke a 5-27 (.185) spell at the plate with a 6-8 (.750) weekend against Fresno State.
-Garrish managed two hits in all three games, including four extra-base hits over the weekend (1 HR, 3 2B's).
-In total, Garrish reached base in 11 of his 13 plate appearances to close the regular season.
He is Shim
-In 14 starts this season, Seungmin Shim owns a 3.31 ERA and an 8.38 K/9.
-His 3.31 ERA is the lowest in the conference among starting pitchers.
-Shim's 81 strikeouts were third-most in the Mountain West during the regular season.
-Shim also has produced a 1.76 GO/FO ratio, crucial to success at Erdle Field.
-Shim's seven pickoffs led the Mountain West.
-The left-hander has pitched at least 5.0 innings in 12 of 14 starts, and has reached 7.0+ innings in eight of 14 starts.
-Shim entered his senior season with a career ERA of 7.53.
Doyle Rules
-Closer Doyle Gehring has been the Falcons bullpen ace during the 2024 season.
-Gehring's nine saves led the conference at the end of the regular season, and are a new career-high for the senior.
-Gehring is just the fifth Air Force pitcher to ever record at least nine saves in a season.
-With 17 career saves, Gehring sits second all-time in program history in the category.
-His 4.70 ERA is fifth-lowest among qualified arms in the conference, while his .257 opponent batting average is also fifth-lowest.
Born to Run
-Through 52 games, Air Force is 92-111 (83%) in stolen base tries this season.
-The Falcons 92 stolen bases are tops among Mountain West teams, and rank 33rd of 295 Division I teams.
-The 2024 spring marks just the fifth year in school history the Falcons have reached 90+ stolen bases.
Players Mentioned
OF
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RHP
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OF/DH
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1B
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IF
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UT/RHP
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LHP
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OF/RHP
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IF
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C
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