HATTIESBURG, Miss. - After allowing eight unanswered runs and facing a two-run deficit in its final at bat, No. 8 Faulkner erupted for six runs to escape with a wild 12-8 victory over William Carey here Sunday afternoon and a sweep of its Southern States Athletic Conference series.
The Eagles (28-9 overall, 15-3 SSAC) built a 6-0 lead through four innings only to have the Crusaders fight back an 8-6 advantage after a five-run bottom of the eighth. Faulkner answered in a big way in top of the ninth, however, to win its fourth straight game.
Brennan Olive opened the uprising with a double, and Craig Massey followed with a walk. With one out Tucker Willard singled in a run to cut the lead to 8-7. After Daniel Cayton drew a walk, Matt Parker doubled to deep left-center field to score two runs and put the Eagles back on top. John Gunnels followed with a two-run single and Brook Boudreaux's single plated Faulkner's final run.
Matt Creel turned in an effective start for Faulkner, allowing six hits in six innings and leaving with a 6-1 lead. The Crusaders (18-14 overall, 8-9 SSAC) touched up Eagle relievers Zach Sterling, Damon Porter and Lyndon Eusea for seven runs in two innings. Casey Wilson finally closed the door on the eighth, and earned the victory with a hitless ninth.
Parker, Gunnels and Boudreaux all drove in three runs for Faulkner, with Gunnels' three hits topping Eagle hitters. Boudreaux and Olive added two hits apiece. Mitch Bohon had three hits and three RBIs to pace the Crusaders.
"Matt Parker's hit was huge for us, he was the hero today," Faulkner head coach Patrick McCarthy said. "He's been clutch for two years now. Winning a game like this will build our confidence. No matter the situation, this team feels like it can beat anyone regardless of the situation."
After scoring an unearned run in the second, the Eagles erupted for five runs in the fourth on only two hits. Faulkner sent 11 men to the plate in the inning, five of whom drew walks. Gunnels had an RBI single and Boudreaux drove in two more with a base hit as the Eagles raced to the 6-0 advantage.
Faulkner hosts Loyola in another SSAC series next weekend. Friday's Game 1 is set for a 6 p.m. first pitch at Harrison Field.
