MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Second-ranked Faulkner (2-0) overcame a sluggish start to clip No. 4 Tennessee Wesleyan (0-1) 8-7 here in Game 3 of the NAIA Southeastern Challenge at Harrison Field this evening.

The Bulldogs struck first on a Collin Ridout single in the opening at-bat and a two-RBI double from Adrian Gonzalez extended Tennessee Wesleyan's lead to 3-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning.

The defense, meanwhile, was spearheaded by brilliant pitching from Chris Washington, who last faced the Eagles in elimination game action in the 2016 World Series. The efficient lefty gave up no hits through 4 1/3 innings out of the gate, but by the middle of the fifth Faulkner found its rhythm and began methodically chipping away at the Bulldog lead.

Luke Parker broke the scoring silence for the Eagles with a two-out RBI single before Wes Roberson forced the game into a stalemate while driving in a pair of runs with a single of his own.

Faulkner scored the go-ahead run on a wild throw to first base the following inning and pinch hitter Michael Darr added some cushion to the lead with a two-RBI single up the middle soon after.

A wild pitch in the eighth inning gave Faulkner a 7-3 advantage, but Tennessee Wesleyan's Chris Allen knocked in a pair of runs on a single that same inning to trim the Eagle lead to two runs.

Faulkner capitalized with another run on a passed ball in the ninth, but the Bulldogs still refused to go away.

Corey Wynant gave his team new life with an RBI double and scored himself moments later on a fielder's choice.

Eagle closer Reid Long finally put the game to rest striking out Dan Ward before further damage could be done.

Ivan Pelaez (1-0) was stellar from the mound for Faulkner through the first five innings tonight. The senior left-hander gave up just four hits and allowed no earned runs while striking out seven batters in the win.

Roberson and Olivier Basabe were both 2-for-3 for the Eagles and scored while Roberson also added a pair of RBIs.

Kolby Green took over for Pelaez and gave up two earned runs on two hits while booking three strikeouts in 2 1/3 innings of work.

Jose Agosto faced two batters and tallied a strikeout before Long entered the contest. 

Long also allowed two earned runs on a pair of hits and had two strikeouts.

Faulkner will take on No. 12 Saint Thomas (Fla.) on Day 2 of the Challenge tomorrow at 1:30 p.m.