LEWISTON, Idaho – Faulkner fell into the losers' bracket at the Avista NAIA World Series early Tuesday morning after dropping a late-night matchup 7-1 to No. 3 seed Lewis-Clark State. The game, which did not start until 11:20 p.m. Central Standard Time, saw the Eagles' bats largely stifled against LCSC starting pitcher Dawson Day. The lefty struck out 12 Faulkner batters over the first five innings and allowed only one hit through six and two-thirds.
The Eagles' best scoring opportunity early in the contest came in the third inning when
Jack Brinkley singled to open the frame ahead of a
Sammy De La Cruz walk.
Juan Trinidad dropped down a sacrifice bunt and appeared to be safe at first as the catcher's throw hit the dirt in front of the first baseman. However, the first base umpire called Trinidad for interference and returned both runners to their previous bases. The call drew the ire of the Faulkner dugout as head coach
Patrick McCarthy appealed to call to no avail. The decision moved the Eagles from an apparent bases-loaded, nobody-out scenario to two on with one out. The ensuing batters each struck out to end the frame.
The Eagles finally got on the board in the bottom of the seventh when
Evan Gilliam and De La Cruz walked and
Kevin Saenz reached on an error. Trinidad then drew a bases-loaded walk to plate Gilliam and chase Day with the score at 6-1. Day struck out 14 batters and walked seven. Cameron Smith, who entered with the bases load and two away, recorded a strikeout to squelch the threat.
The Eagles struck out 18 times in the contest and had just one hit. The game marked the first time since March 7, 2019 that Faulkner had only one hit.
Alexis Saldana worked six and a third innings for Faulkner, striking out six and allowing three earned runs.
Tyberius Correa shined in relief, working a 1-2-3 ninth inning with two strikeouts against the heart of the LCSC order.
Faulkner (39-16) will play again Tuesday at 5 p.m. Central Standard Time when it faces LSU-Shreveport in an elimination game.
