MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Second-ranked Faulkner (39-9, 14-5 SSAC) answered an early 3-0 deficit with three runs through the middle innings against No. 23 Willam Carey (30-14, 16-6 SSAC) here in this evening's Southern States Athletic Conference series opener at Harrison Field, but a costly ninth-inning error allowed the Crusaders to book the decisive run and gain the 4-3 victory.

A two-run homer in the first inning and a solo bomb in the third gave the visitors control of the scoreboard until the Eagles began tallying runs in the fourth.

Faulkner struck first on a John Price RBI knock immediately following a Tra'mayne Holmes triple of the center field wall.

Holmes was at it again in the following frame when he delivered a game-tying, two-run double down the third base line.

The stalemate held until the ninth inning when shortstop Olivier Basabe overthrew first base on double play attempt which ultimately allowed the winning run to score.

Israel Fuentes earned the start and tallied 10 strikeouts while allowing three earned runs on nine hits he scattered over seven innings.

Braden Olive (3-1) suffered the loss while surrendering the go-ahead run on a lone hit he gave up in 1 1/3 innings of work from the mound.

Kolby Green secured the final two outs of the night.

T.J. Condon was 2-for-3 against the Crusaders and Holmes was 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs and a run.

Faulkner and William Carey conclude the series with a doubleheader slated for 1 p.m. tomorrow. The team will also honor its seniors following the final contest.