Courtesy of Air Force Athletics

COLORADO SPRINGS- Facing a 5-4 deficit in the final inning, a late Air Force rally was capped by a Jay Thomason three-run home run to walk-off #15 Dallas Baptist, as the Falcons evened the series against the Patriots with a thrilling 7-5 win.

Thomason was 2-3, both of hits being of the home run variety. Thomason opened the scoring with a long solo home run in the 1st to give Air Force an early 1-0 lead. Thomason finished with 4 RBIs to go with an intentional walk, as the senior is 7-10 (.700) with 3 HR’s and 10 RBIs in three games this week.

As well, the two home runs give Thomason 47 career home runs, as he surpasses Steve Saleck for sole possession of second all-time in home runs at Air Force. Thomason needs just three home runs to tie Nic Ready for the program record of 50 career homers.

Walker Zapp was 1-3, though his one hit was a long home run to deep left field, as the Air Force catcher connected on his third home run of the spring. His home run tied the game at 2-2 in the 3rd.

In just his second start of the spring, Aaron Reyes provided a late spark. His hustle double in the 6th brought home Aerik Joe, who tripled with two outs, as the Falcons trimmed the lead to 5-4. Reyes finished 2-4.

Chase Spencer and Sam Kulasingam were each 2-5, while Charlie Jones was 1-3 with a sacrifice fly in the 3rd.

Dylan Rogers was much better than his final line might suggest, as the junior was responsible for five runs on nine hits over 5.0 IP. He also recorded five strikeouts while walking none.

Kyle Moats was vital to the Air Force win on Saturday, as the senior left-hander shutout the Patriots over the final four innings of the game. Moats allowed just three hits to go with three strikeouts.

In the 9th, Tripp Garrish entered the game as a pinch hitter with one out, working a six-pitch walk. Spencer followed with a single, though he was erased after Kulasingam bounced into a fielder’s choice. With runners on the corners and two outs, Thomason fouled off the first pitch he saw before sending a mammoth home run to right-center field to win the ballgame.

The win is Air Force’s first win over a ranked team since April 19, 2022 when the Falcons beat #10 Texas by a score of 14-2.

Next, Air Force and Dallas Baptist will meet in a Sunday rubber game scheduled for 12:00 pm MT.