ATHENS, Tenn. -  The 10th-ranked Tennessee Wesleyan Bulldogs erased a five-run, late-inning deficit to knock off No. 1 Faulkner 8-7 here Wednesday afternoon in a non-conference battle between two of the NAIA's best at Jack Bowling Field.

Chase Edwards provided a walk-off, two-run double, capping a three-run ninth inning for the Bulldogs, who improved to 30-8 with the victory. Leading 7-5 heading into the decisive inning, the Eagles appeared safe after reliever Alejandro Castro retired the first two Tennessee Wesleyan batters. Ridge Hoopi-Haslam homered, however, cutting the deficit to 7-6 and giving the Bulldogs new life. Jordan Garrett singled and Tyler Albert was then hit by a pitch, setting the stage for Edwards game-winner.

Faulkner (35-8) led 5-1 through three innings, getting a pair of home runs from Dennis Morton and another from Dalton Raybon. The lead grew to 6-1 in the sixth thanks to a Cody Sos solo homer, but then Tennessee Wesleyan began battling back.

Patrick McGrady relieved Faulkner starter Christian Torres, who had scattered seven hits over six innings, in the bottom of the seventh. Four hits, all singles, and a walk resulted in four runs for the Bulldogs, trimming the Eagles' advantage to 6-5. Sos homered again in the eighth inning - Faulkner's fifth long ball of the game - to give the Eagles a two-run lead but they couldn't hold on.

Faulkner travels to Jackson, Miss., this weekend to face Belhaven in a three-game Southern States Athletic Conference series. Friday's game begins at 6 p.m., followed by a Saturday doubleheader set for a 1 p.m. start.