MONTGOMERY, Ala. - An electric performance from
Katelynn Inness and a clutch RBI single from
Abby Terrell led the way to a 1-0 win at Wynn Field in a Monday split against No. 8 Central Methodist for Faulkner's first win over a top-10 opponent since May 15, 2018 when it defeated No. 4 Campbellsville twice on the same day to advance to the World Series. Faulkner dropped the second game 8-0.
FAULKNER 1, CENTRAL METHODIST 0
Inness simply delivered one of the best performances of her career with a 12-strikeout shutout of a team that had previously averaged over six runs and almost nine hits per game. The junior from Niceville, Fla. allowed just four hits and one walk over the complete game win, highlighted by a three-up, three-down, three-strikeout inning in the second and a one-two-three seventh with a pair of punchouts to end the game. The 12 strikeouts ties a career high set March 19, 2021 at Brewton-Parker and is her third double-figure strikeout performance in Faulkner blue.
The defensive stalemate saw early chances for Faulkner with bases loaded in the first and second innings the hosts could not start the scoring either time. Breakthrough came in the sixth inning as
Colby Adams laced a one-out double to left center. The backstop made way for
Jordan Boyd to run for her as Terrell delivered the two-out magic with a single deep enough to score Boyd and seal the victory.
CENTRAL METHODIST 8, FAULKNER 0 (5 Innings)
Central Methodist started on fire in the second game to force the split, plating four runs in the first inning before ending the game via run rule with a three run fifth. Faulkner could not get the offense going scattering just two hits in the loss.
Faulkner tried putting a rally together in the fifth to extend the game but for the third time on the day CMU escaped a bases-loaded situation unscathed.
The Lady Eagles open conference play this weekend with a road trip to Mobile and William Carey for two games each Friday and Saturday, respectively.
