COCHRAN, Ga. – Faulkner continued its strong start in conference play Saturday with a doubleheader sweep of Middle Georgia State.

FAULKNER 4, MIDDLE GEORGIA STATE 3

The Lady Eagles started the scoring in the top of the fourth as Caity Jo Lee singled and scored on Madison McKee's RBI grounder. Middle Georgia State took the lead in the bottom of the inning as Emma Raulerson singled in Brittany Wilt to tie the game. Raulerson later scored the go-ahead run without benefit of a ball being put in play to put the Knights up 2-1.

Faulkner got a leadoff single from Sheblie Burbage in the top of the fifth before Taylor Eddy dropped down a sacrifice bunt to advance her into scoring position. Kendall Bennett followed with a double to left, plating Burbage and tying the game. Bennett later scored the go-ahead run on a throw to put Faulkner up 3-2.

The Lady Eagles got an insurance run in the sixth when Colby Adams singled to open the inning and gave way to pinch runner Kaileigh Harrison. The speedy freshman stole second and later scored on a Brianna Cagle RBI grounder to set the lead at 4-2.

Logan Blizzard doubled in Makinsey Long in the home half of the sixth to cut it to 4-3 before Megan Schwieterman retired the next three batters to end the threat.
Lee and Adams each had two hits. Burbage, Bennett and Fielding had one hit apiece. Bennett, Cagle and McKee notched an RBI each.

Schwieterman (3-1) struck out nine batters over seven innings of work while scattering six hits and allowing one earned run for the win.  

FAULKNER 13, MIDDLE GEORGIA STATE 2

The Lady Eagle hung nine runs on the board in the top of the sixth inning to beat the Knights 13-2 in the second game of the day.

Faulkner opened the scoring in the top of the second as Caity Jo Lee singled to start the inning and later scored on a Shelbie Burbage single to put Faulkner up 1-0. Jordan Boyd later scored on Taylor Eddy's RBI grounder to move the lead to 2-0.

MGA answered in the home half of the second when Riley Edge singled home Logan Blizzard, who reached on a leadoff triple. Makinsey Long later singled Edge home to tie the game.

The Lady Eagles reclaimed the lead in the top of the third inning. Ashton Fielding started the inning with a single. Lee doubled to put two runners in scoring position with one out. A Middle Georgia State error allowed both runners to score to put Faulkner up 4-2. It remained there until Faulkner's nine-run outburst in the sixth.

Burbage opened the sixth with a single ahead of an Eddy bunt single. Kendall Bennett dropped down a sacrifice bunt to advance both baserunners into scoring position. Fielding followed with a single that scored Burbage and Eddy to make it 6-2. Tara Ammons singled and gave way to pinch runner Brianna Cagle. Boyd later singled in both Cagle and Lee to make it 8-2.

Burbage singled home Erika Mitchell to set the score at 9-2. Eddy drew a bases-loaded walk to plate Boyd for the 10-2 lead. Bennett singled in Kaileigh Harrison to push the advantage to 11-2. A bases-loaded HBP on Fielding drove in Burbage to make it 12-2. Cagle's bases-loaded walk plated Eddy for the final run of the game.

Fielding finished with three hits and three RBIs. Burbage had three hits and two RBIs. Eddy and Boyd each had two hits and two RBIs. Bennett collected two hits and one RBI. Cagle had one RBI while Lee had two hits.

Julianna Thames (3-0) picked up the complete game win, working six innings while allowing five hits, a walk and two earned runs.

Faulkner (15-5, 8-0 SSAC) plays again Thursday when it hosts Mobile in a doubleheader.