MONTGOMERY, Ala. - No. 1 Faulkner fell 4-3 to fourth-ranked Missouri Baptist here Saturday before rebounding to knock off No. 10 Cumberland 7-4 in college baseball action at Harrison Field.

The Eagles (5-2) split their four games played over the weekend, all against teams ranked in the top 15 of the NAIA ratings. On Friday, Faulkner beat Missouri Baptist before falling to No. 15 Lindsey Wilson.

In the loss to Missouri Baptist (1-3), Faulkner starter Kurt Lipscomb suffered through a tough first inning, allowing three runs on three hits as the Spartans erased a 1-0 deficit. Only one of the runs was earned, however, as the Eagles committed two errors. Jeff Smith's solo home run in the second pushed the Missouri Baptist lead to 4-1.

Faulkner scored its second unearned run of the game in the second inning to come to within 4-2, and Dauris Holguin's RBI groundout sliced the lead to 4-3. Ryan Stapp and Clinton Graham, both in relief, shut down the Eagles from there, however, allowing only two hits the rest of the way. Stapp earned the victory, while Lipscomb took the loss. Faulkner managed only four hits in the game.

Against Cumberland, Faulkner's bats came alive in a 12-hit effort. The Eagles pounded Bulldog starter Anthony Gomez for 10 hits and seven runs in the first four innings, scoring four in the second and three more in the fourth. Thomas Dorminy went the distance for Faulkner, allowing only two earned runs on four hits. He struck out eight Cumberland batters, walking only one.

Edgar Figueroa had three hits, while Esteban Paula and Luis Sanchez added two each to pace the Eagles at the plate. Paula also scored twice and had two RBIs. Robert Llera also drove in two runs for Faulkner with a base hit.

"We played tight all weekend," Faulkner head coach Patrick McCarthy said. "We loosened up a bit against Cumberland, and it sure helps when you get great starting pitching like we did from Dorminy. We think playing these quality teams will help us in our league."

Faulkner travels to New Albany, Miss., to open Southern States Athletic Conference action against Blue Mountain. First pitch for Friday's game is set for 3 p.m.