MONTGOMERY, Ala. - In a rain-shortened Southern States Athletic Conference game Friday afternoon at a soggy Harrison Field, top-ranked Faulkner scored three times in the bottom of the third inning and starting pitcher Phillip Anderson allowed only three hits as the Eagles beat Middle Georgia State 3-0 to capture the conference series.

With the victory, coupled with Auburn Montgomery's loss Friday afternoon to Blue Mountain in the first game of its three-game series, Faulkner (40-10 overall, 23-4 SSAC) is back in control of its own destiny in the race for a fourth straight regular season conference title. Another championship for the Eagles would still be a tall order, with the Warhawks three games ahead in the loss column. Faulkner and 12th-ranked AUM close out the regular season with a three-game series beginning Thursday at the Warhawks' baseball complex.

In the five-inning victory over the Knights, Anderson improved to 7-2 on the season. In the decisive third inning, Faulkner loaded the bases with one out. Randy Joung plated the first run with a sacrifice fly to left, and Cody Sos followed with a two-run single as the Eagles took command and never relinquished it.

Tay Jerger took the loss for Middle Georgia (15-30 overall, 6-22 SSAC), dropping to 3-6 on the year.

Faulkner hosts No. 9 Tennessee Wesleyan Monday afternoon at Harrison Field. The first pitch is set for 2.