MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Faulkner returned to action for the first time in 11 days Wednesday afternoon, splitting a doubleheader with Brenau.
BRENAU 5, FAULKNER 4 (9 innings)
The Lady Eagles dropped their first game of the season in the opener, falling 5-4 despite loading the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the ninth. With
Nicole Morrison on second to open the inning due to the international tiebreaker rule,
Brianna Cagle and
Shelbie Burbage hit back-to-back singles to load the bases. However, Faulkner failed to push a run across to suffer its first loss of the season.
Samantha Rooker doubled in Jillian Brookshire in the top of the ninth to account for the winning run for Brenau. The visiting team previously took the lead in the top of the eighth when Hannah Patridge singled in Aly Singletary for the 4-3 advantage. Faulkner rallied to tie it in the home half of the frame when
Colby Adams drove in
Kaileigh Harrison with a single up the middle.
The Lady Eagles opened the scoring in the home half of the first as
Gracie Pittman drove home Burbage with a single. The Tigers tied the game in the fourth before Faulkner regained the advantage in the fifth. Burbage drew a two-out walk before stealing second and third and scoring on a wild pitch.
Brenau plated two runs in the sixth to go up 3-2. Faulkner tied the game in the sixth on a solo homer by
Ivey Hill.
Katelynn Inness started the game in the circle, striking out eight over six and two-thirds while scattering seven hits.
FAULKNER 9, BRENAU 1
The second game of the day saw Faulkner score six runs in the sixth to win via mercy rule. The Eagles took the advantage early as
Erika Mitchell doubled down the left field line and scored on a grounder off the bat of
Brianna Cagle. Brenau equalized the game in the third before Faulkner struck again.
Pittman launched a homer to left before Mitchell doubled.
Taylor Ammons singled in Mitchell to move the lead to 3-1. The offense then exploded in the sixth inning.
Mitchell singled to open the frame. Ammons dropped down a bunt single and
Markie Hicks walked to load the bases. Mitchell scored on a wild pitch before Cagle singled.
Harrison followed with a hit through the left side to plate Ammons and move the lead to 5-1. Burbage singled in Hicks.
Caity Jo Lee then drove in Cagle and Harrison to stretch it to 8-1.
Tara Ammons ended the game with a hit that plate Burbage.
Meagan Schwieterman (3-0) scattered four hits and two walks while allowing one earned run over six innings for the complete game win.
Faulkner (5-1) travels to the Gulf Coast Invitational this weekend. The Eagles face Southeastern Baptist and Lyon Friday before taking on Avila and Xavier-Louisiana Saturday. The wrap the weekend with contests against Thomas and William Woods.
