PULASKI, Tenn. – Faulkner almost overcame a 6-1 deficit Tuesday night before dropping a midweek tilt 8-7 in extra innings at Tennessee Southern. The Eagles gave up a run in the first and two more in the third to fall behind 3-0 before getting on the board in the top of the fifth when Trevor Torppa hit a sacrifice fly to center to drive in Jack Brinkley.

The Firehawks wasted little time responding as they posted a three spot in the home half of the frame to stretch the advantage to 6-1. Faulkner got right back in the game in the top of the sixth, sending nine men to the plate and scoring four runs in the inning. Jose Vargas flew out to right to drive in Cristian Martin and Francisco Soriano scored on a wild pitch to make it 6-3. Evan Gilliam then doubled home Jorge Lucero and Brinkley, narrowing the deficit to 6-5.

The Eagles tied it in the seventh when Martin scored on Vargas's bases-loaded walk. Soriano then scored the go-ahead run when Lucero was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

The 7-6 lead lasted until the bottom of the ninth when the Firehawks scratched out a run to the tie the game.

Faulkner had base runners in the 10th and 11th innings but failed to scored ahead of a 1-2-3 top of the 12th. UT Southern got the winning run home on a balk with two outs in the bottom of the 12th to end the game.

The Eagles used five pitchers in the game, highlighted by Hunter Dupuy needing only 19 pitches to get four outs. Faulkner pitchers issued 11 walks in the game and were called for eight balks.

Gilliam led the offense with a two-hit performance that included a pair of RBIs.

Faulkner (8-7) opens SSAC play Friday when it travels to Mount Vernon, Ga. to take on Brewton-Parker.