MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Down 2-1 in game two and facing a full count for the second time after fouling off a tough pitch, AnnaMarie Stooksbury launched a two run blast to left field to walk-off for Faulkner (24-17, 12-12 SSAC) and split the day with No. 19 William Carey (36-10, 20-6 SSAC) with a 3-2 win after an 8-1 first game loss.

WILLIAM CAREY 8, FAULKNER 1

The Crusaders scored all eight runs with two outs to take game one. A pair of doubles brought in two runs in the first before they added two more in the second to take a 4-0 lead. The Crusaders added three more in the fourth. 

Stooksbury's RBI single cut into the deficit but the hill was too steep to climb against one of the nation's best pitchers, Haley Nations. Faulkner was able to get eight hits off last year's first team all-American but just the lone run. 

William Carey added one more in the seventh to seal the scoring. 

Anna Purvis and Erika Mitchell each picked up a pair of hits in the loss. 

FAULKNER 3, WILLIAM CAREY 2

Faulkner picked up its third win over a ranked opponent in two weeks when Stooksbury launched the second 3-2 pitch she faced over the left field fence to score herself and Abby Terrell to flip what was a foul tip away from a 2-1 loss into a 3-2 win. 

The home run was the second of the season for the first baseman and ended what was a wild sixth and seventh inning. After a third inning single from William Carey's RBI leader Carley Kidder, the game stalemated at 1-0 until the bottom of the sixth.

In the sixth inning, Anna Purvis delivered a game-tying two out hit that bounced out of the glove of the diving center fielder to score Jordan Boyd from second who hit a single with one out before her twin sister Brianna Boyd drew a walk.

William Carey did not go away quietly though and responded with a leadoff double before a sacrifice bunt and subsequent sacrifice fly manufactured the go-ahead run. The double was one of just two hits that Faulkner pitcher Chloe Davidson allowed in the final four innings. 

Colby Adams started the seventh with a one out single and made way for Terrell, the freshman, to pinch run for the lone senior. 

Davidson allowed just five hits all game as the defense held a flawless fielding percentage behind her. 

Purvis, Stooksbury and Mandi Hart each had multiple hits in the win. 

Faulkner picked up a big win over a team battling for the SSAC regular season title with Mobile and Middle Georgia and moved into fourth place in the league standings. 

The Lady Eagles will honor Adams before the final games of the regular season Tuesday at 2 p.m. against Mobile. 
  Read Full Article