THOMASVILLE, Ga. - Faulkner scored a pair of eighth-inning runs without the benefit of a hit and reliever Jay Gause didn't allow an earned run in three innings of work as the Eagles escaped with an 8-7 victory over Thomas here Friday night in the opener of a three-game non-conference series.

The Eagles (9-2) won their fifth straight game despite committing five errors in the game, taking advantage of two walks, an error and a sacrifice fly by Sergio Sanchez to score the decisive runs. Gause, struck out seven to earn the victory in relief of Thomas Dorminy, who struck out 10 in six innings of work.

Faulkner pounded out 13 hits in battling back from 3-1 and 7-5 deficits against the Night Hawks, who fell to 7-5 with the loss. Robert Llera had three hits for the Eagles, while Sergio Sanchez, Chris Madera and Dauris Holguin added two apiece. Holguin and Luis Sanchez each scored two runs.

"We were able to steal six bases tonight and I think that was the key to the game," Faulkner head coach Patrick McCarthy said. "I think our team showed a lot of guts tonight in battling back."

Faulkner and Thomas play a doubleheader Saturday, with Game 1 set for a noon first pitch.