MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Faulkner continued its string of comeback victories here Wednesday night, battling back from a 6-3 deficit to knock off Point 8-6 at Harrison Field.
The eighth-ranked Eagles (15-4) jumped out to an early three-run lead only to see the Skyhawks score six unanswered to take command. Faulkner did just what it has done in its last three victories, however, and that's rally in the late innings to earn a win.
"We worked really hard and fought tonight," head coach Patrick McCarthy said. "I am proud to see us come through and get the job done. It's really good to see we that we continue to mount comebacks."
Faulkner, with three runs in the third highlighted by a Brennan Olive triple and a two-run single from Brook Boudreaux, coasted into the fifth inning with a 3-0 lead behind senior starter Joe Grzywacz, who allowed only three hits in the first four frames. In the fifth, however, the Skyhawks sent eight batters to the plate, taking advantage of two hits and three walks against Grzywacz and reliever Alex Miranda to take a 4-3 lead.
Point (11-8) added to the advantage in the sixth when designated hitter Kevin Dawkins, who had three hits on the night, blasted a two-run homer to push the margin to 6-3. A Daniel Cayton RBI single in the seventh cut the lead to 6-4, setting the stage for an Eagles' explosion in the eighth.
Against Skyhawk reliever Tommy Braddock, the Eagles struck together three hits and took advantage of a Braddock error to regain the lead. In the inning, Matt Creel and Matt Parker both had singles, with Parker's hit driving in the last of the four runs scored that put Faulkner on top 8-6. Ray Johnson added an RBI double for the Eagles in the decisive inning.
Justin Hallmark (1-0) earned the win for Faulkner, with Creel earning his second save of the season. Johnson led the Eagles' 12-hit attack with three hits, while Craig Massey added two. Boudreaux and Johnson each added two RBIs for the winners.
Faulkner travels to South Carolina this weekend to take on Southern Wesleyan in a three-game Southern States Athletic Conference series. Game 1 is Friday at 6 p.m.
