TALLADEGA, Ala. - A last inning Faulkner rally in Game 1 of a doubleheader against Talladega fell short, but the top-ranked Eagles did mount a comeback in their last at-bat in Game 2 to earn a split of two seven-inning games against the Tornadoes here Tuesday afternoon in non-conference baseball action.

Faulkner (32-8) left the bases loaded in the top of the seventh in a 4-3 loss to the Tornadoes (25-17) in the opener, then scored three times in the seventh of the nightcap to capture a 4-2 victory. 

In Game 1, the Tornadoes scored three times in the fourth to break a 1-1 tie thanks to back-to-back-to-back doubles off of Faulkner starter Jay Gause, who went the distance and allowed only four hits in taking the loss. Faulkner scored single runs in the sixth and seventh to pull within 4-3, but Michael Cruz struck out with the bases loaded for the final out to end it. Chris Madera had a solo home run and drove in two for the Eagles, who also got a pair of hits from Robert Llera.

In the second game, Talladega took a 2-0 lead into the sixth inning before Sergio Sanchez's RBI double cut the margin in half for Faulkner. In the seventh, Llera tied the game at 2 with a run-scoring single before Sanchez and Esteban Paula both drew bases-loaded walks to give the Eagles a 4-2 lead. Patrick McGrady retired the side in order in the bottom of the inning to earn the save. Vinny Lujan pitched a scoreless sixth inning to claim the victory for the Eagles, who got five innings of four-hit work from starter Labradford Griffis. Llera and Sanchez each had two hits to lead Faulkner's effort in the win.

Faulkner travels to Mount Vernon, Ga., this weekend to take on Southern States Athletic Conference rival Brewton-Parker in a key three-game series. The Eagles lead the Barons by 2 1/2 games in the league standings. Friday's game begins at 5 p.m. central time.