MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Michael Cruz opened his senior season in the same fashion he ended his junior campaign. And the Faulkner baseball team was the beneficiary, riding a three-run homer by Cruz to a 14-4 victory here Friday afternoon over Talladega in a game shortened to seven innings by the 10-run rule.

The All-American right fielder, who led the Eagles to the 2013 NAIA national championship, helped break open a close game with his blast in a seven-run sixth inning as Faulkner pounded out 14 hits off of five Tornado pitchers at the opener at Harrison Field. The lead was 7-3 headed into the big frame, which supplied plenty of support for senior right-hander and winner Julian Esquibel, who allowed two runs in 4.2 innings of work.

"We played really well today," Faulkner head coach Patrick McCarthy said. "We saw a lot of pitches and we got into their bullpen early. We have some areas where we need some work. We will continue to get better on the bases and with our situational hitting.  Had some really bad weather earlier in the week and the guys put that behind them and worked hard today. It's a good start."