The Air Force baseball was on hand to see a pair of their own represent the United States in the World Baseball Classic.

The night’s schedule included former Falcons ace Paul Skenes as the U.S. starter for Mexico, while AFA graduate Griffin Jax was in the bullpen for the game against Mexico at the Houston Astros’ Daikin Park.

Skenes and Jax have been outspoken in their enthusiam to represent their country in the World Baseball Classic.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I would say yes to every day,” Jax told The Gazette the day he was named to the team. “It’s an amazing chance to represent my country. It helps me remember where I come from and give honor to those who are fighting for us every day.”

Skenes penned an entry for the Player’s Tribune that was published Monday, noting “I decided it would be good to write you all this letter so that you can truly understand how much it means to me to be playing for the United States of America and wearing the letters U.S.A. across my chest in the World Baseball Classic.”

Several media reports indicated Jax and Skenes funded the trip. It instead was paid for through the Air Education and Training Command in a partnership with Major League Baseball and its alliance with America250.

The Air Force baseball team was already in Texas, having played three games at Baylor over the weekend.