HATTIESBURG, Ala. - Faulkner used the big inning and solid pitching performances from Corey Black and Will Dismukes to sweep both games of a Southern States Athletic Conference here Saturday against William Carey.
The eighth-ranked Eagles (27-9 overall, 14-3 SSAC) won the first game 14-3 and the second 5-2, and with the two victories Faulkner secured its sixth straight SSAC series' win. Only third-ranked Lee has equaled that feat through the first month and half of conference play.
In the opener Faulkner scored four runs in the second inning and exploded for nine in the fourth to coast to the blowout victory, and then in the second inning of Game 2 rode another four-run second inning to take control. Corey Black (6-1) and Will Dismukes (5-1) were the beneficiaries of the Eagles' offensive onslaught, with Black allowing two runs in five innings in Game 1 and Dismukes scattering six hits in a complete-game victory in the nightcap.
"We were really patient at the plate today, showing a lot of discipline," Faulkner head coach Patrick McCarthy said. "We're playing the game like its meant to be played right now, and that's always gratifying. We got great pitching from both of our starters, and really took control of the games early."
In first-game route, John Gunnel's RBI double and Brennan Olive's two-run single helped stake the Eagles to a 4-0 lead, then a seven-hit fourth inning that resulted in nine runs put the Crusaders away. Brook Boudreaux had a pair of run-scoring doubles in the explosive inning, with Olive, Gunnels, David Bishop and Craig Massey all driving in runs as the Eagles sent 14 batters to the plate.
Boudreaux, Olive, Gunnels, and Zak Colby each had two hits in Faulkner's 13-hit attack, with Boudreaux knocking in four runs and Olive three. William Carey pitchers aided the Eagles' cause, issuing 13 walks in the game.
Massey's RBI single in the top of the first inning of Game 2 staked Faulkner to a 1-0 lead, and Matt Creel's two run homer highlighted the four-run second as the Eagles raced to a 5-0 lead. It was all Dismukes would need, allowing only two runs in the William Carey third in a dominating performance, striking out nine Crusaders along the way. The right-hander allowed only one hit after the fourth inning, bouncing back from his first loss of the season last weekend against Belhaven.
Olive had three hits, and Creel and Tucker Willard two apiece for Faulkner in the nightcap.
Faulkner and William Carey play the third game of the series Sunday afternoon at 3.
