MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Faulkner pushed its winning streak to eight with a dominating performance here Friday afternoon, blasting Belhaven 7-2 and 10-0 to capture a sweep of their Southern States Athletic Conference doubleheader at Harrison Field.
The Eagles (11-1 overall, 2-0 SSAC) had it going in all phases against the Blazers (7-6 overall, 0-2 SSAC), collecting 21 hits - including seven for extra bases - in support of starting pitchers Will Dismukes and Johnny Shuttlesworth, both of whom earned complete-game victories.
In Game 1, David Bishop ripped a three-run homer in the bottom of the first to stake the Eagles to a lead they would not relinquish. After the Blazers scored a single run in the top of the third, Sergio Sanchez added to the Faulkner lead with a two-run shot to make it 5-1 through three innings, and Belhaven never threatened the advantage the rest of the way.
Zak Colby added a hit and an RBI to the Faulkner effort, and Dauris Holguin had an RBI as well. Esteban Paula chipped in a single and a double to the Eagles' attack. Dismukes moved to 2-0 on the season with a four-hitter, striking out seven along the way.
Game 2 was mismatch, with Faulkner grabbing the lead with a four-run second inning and coasting to the lopsided victory. The Eagles added two runs in the fourth and finished off the Blazers with four runs in the seventh. Faulkner pounded out 13 hits in the nightcap, with Michael Cruz leading the way with a 3-for-3 performance, including a home run, three runs scored and three RBI.
Ethan Williams added three hits, two runs scored and an RBI, and Brook Boudreaux had a pair of hits and three RBI. Eight Faulkner players had hits in the game to back Shuttlesworth, who tossed a three-hit gem, striking out six while not issuing a walk to improve to 3-0.
"These were good team wins today and we're happy to start our conference schedule on the right foot," said Faulkner head coach Patrick McCarthy, whose team won the SSAC regular season championship last season. "It's exciting to be playing this well so early in the season. We hit the ball well and got solid pitching, and Shuttlesworth was incredible again."
Faulkner and Belhaven close out their series Saturday afternoon with a nine-inning game at Harrison Field. First pitch is set for 1.
