ATHENS, Tenn. - Top-ranked Faulkner (38-3) produced an eight-run eighth inning while fending off a Tennessee Wesleyan (24-17) rally to secure the 8-5 victory here Wednesday afternoon.

The Bulldogs scored two runs on three hits in the second inning and kept the Eagles scoreless until the eventful eighth frame where the visitors generated nine runs on eight hits capped by a three-run homer courtesy of Te'kwaan Whyte.

Tennessee Wesleyan countered with three runs in the bottom of the same inning, however, and ultimately extended the threat into a two-out, bases-loaded situation soon after.

Head coach Patrick McCarthy called on Andrew Carter to bail the team out of jam. The junior lefty promptly stuck out pinch hitter Adrian Gonzalez before going on to strike out 2-of-4 batters in the final inning to earn the save.

Evan Gillespie (3-1) claimed the win on the mound for Faulkner after allowing two earned runs on five hits over seven innings of work. He also had four strikeouts.

Myron Mebane went 3-for-4 and scored while Luis Duran and Ryan Rosa were both 2-for-4 with an RBI and scored.

Faulkner hosts Southern States Athletic Conference foe Bethel (Tenn.) in a three-game series this weekend. First pitch in Game 1 is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday at Harrison Field.