NEW ORLEANS, La. - Faulkner (27-2, 6-2 SSAC) gained a pair of wins over Southern States Athletic Conference foe Loyola (15-13, 1-6 SSAC) 5-3 and 5-1 (7), respectively, here in this afternoon's series-opening doubleheader.

The Eagles started to climb out of a 2-0 deficit with an sacrifice fly from Rusber Estrada in the third inning and jumped into a brief one-run advantage thanks to a Ta'kwaan Whyte single and bases-loaded walk in the seventh.

Zachary Cook moved the contest into a tie, however, with a home run in the bottom of the same frame, however..

After a quiet eighth inning, Faulkner claimed a permanent lead thanks to runs scored on a T.J. Riles and Gage West single.

Tyler Thornton tallied eight strikeouts while allowing two earned runs on as many hits over six innings in the opening start.

Jake Kolterman gave up an earned run on a hit while striking out a batter in the seventh before Brandon Suttles (4-0) secured the win with three strikeouts and clean sheet over the final two innings of play.

Estrada, Riles and Jacob Freeland each had a pair of hits and Estrada and Riles each secured RBIs.

Reid Long and Austin Paschke each delivered RBI singles in the second inning of Game 2, giving Faulkner a 3-0 lead before a Wolfpack RBI double put the home team on the scoreboard the following inning.

Whyte then drove in a run and Pashke scored on a wild pitch to cap the scoring for the day in the fourth.

Tyler Tungate (3-0) was masterful from the mound in the nightcap firing 13 strikeouts while surrendering just four hits in the complete-game victory. The lone run was unearned.

Long and Paschke were each 2-for-3 with an RBI and the duo scored two and one run, respectively.

Whyte hit .500 and booked an RBI and scored.

The two teams conclude the three-game series tomorrow afternoon. The nine-inning event is scheduled for 11 a.m.