MONTGOMERY, Ala. – No. 6 Faulkner opened the 2020 season with a doubleheader sweep of Thomas University Saturday, scoring 21 runs on 18 hits in the process.

FAULKNER 14, THOMAS 3

The Eagles wasted very little time getting the scoring underway Saturday. Hagen Holmstead (SR/Salt Lake City, Utah) singled past second base with one out in the bottom of the first inning. The senior then proceeded to steal second and third before scoring on a Shawn Ross (JR/Fajada, Puerto Rico) triple for the early 1-0 lead. Thomas got its first baserunner in the third inning on a Rodwell Munoz single. Munoz then swiped second and third before coming around to score to tie the game.

Faulkner then hung crooked numbers on the scoreboard in each of the third, fourth, fifth and sixth innings to put the game away. Sam Anthony (SR/Columbus, Ga.) and Holmstead each doubled in the game while Ross and Bo Seccombe (SR/Tallahassee, Fla.) tripled. Jonathan Villa (SR/Ensenada, Mexico) and Mario Moralez Jr. (JR/Houston, Texas) homered. Holmstead turned in a three-hit performance while Isaac Phillips (JR/Powder Springs, Ga.) had a pair of base hits. Moralez finished with two RBIs while Anthony had three.

That proved more than enough offense in support of Aubrey Davis (JR/Hull, Ga.), who worked five strong innings while striking out six batters and allowing three hits and three earned runs. Zack Glines (SR/Dalton, Ga.) worked two scoreless innings in relief.

FAULKNER 7, THOMAS 1

The Nighthawks grabbed the quick lead in game two of the series. Luis Martinez coaxed a leadoff walk and later scored on a Tyler Keaton infield single. The Faulkner deficit remained until the second inning when Anthony doubled down the left field line to plate DejHard Kimbrough, who served as the courtesy runner for Jonathan Villa. Tommy Reyes-Cruz (JR/Quebec, British Columbia) later singled to right-center, driving in Eriq White (SR/Snellville, Ga.) and Anthony for the 3-1 lead.

The Eagles added to the lead in the bottom of the fifth as Phillips drew a walk and scored on a Moralez flyout to center. Faulkner put the game away in the sixth with a three-run frame that saw Trystin Raikes (SR/Ottawa, Ill.) score on a bases-loaded walk to Anthony. Justin Lara (SR/Coconut Creek, Fla.) later scored on a Phillilps sacrifice fly before Collier Rutledge (JR/Sarasota, Fla.) scored on a ball in the dirt.

Anthony doubled and drove in two runs while Reyes-Cruz had a pair of RBIs himself.

Antonio Frias (SR/Panama City, Panama) worked five innings of one-hit, one-run ball while striking out eight batters. Mike Battle (SR/Birmingham, Ala.) picked up the save, working two innings of one-hit, shutout baseball and striking out three.

Faulkner (2-0) wraps the series against Thomas Sunday in a 1 p.m. tilt.