Montgomery, Ala. - The Lady Eagles picked up the season series sweep over the United States Sports Academy behind their bats and tough defense. The Lady Eagles combined 16 hits in both games and allowed only four runs.
Faulkner 3, USSA 2
The Lady Eagles took the lead early in the bottom of the first after a single from Gracie Pittman to advance Chloe Davidson who reached first on a single to lead the game off. Pittman's single also scored the first run of the game by sending Addyson Jarman home after she got on base from a walk.
USSA answered with two runs of their own after an RBI single and an error on the next play. The Eagles now led Faulkner 2-1 heading to the bottom of the second.
Sarah Williams started the bottom of the third with a single with a walk for Kelbi Johnson to follow. The Eagles were able to get Williams out at second though. With Campbell Hecklinski up to bat, Johnson put herself in scoring position with a stolen base. Hecklinski then tripled to send Johnson home for the tying run. The Eagle then proceeded to walk Davidson where she then stole second base. Anna Catherine Segrest reached first with a single.
On the next at-bat, with the bases loaded, Madelyn Becker was walked, giving her the RBI to advance Hecklinski home to take the lead and position Segrest and Davidson to score. USSA managed to end the inning without allowing Faulkner to extend the lead.
For the next two innings, the Lady Eagles would keep the Eagles from earning a comeback after stellar defense was able to end each inning fairly quickly. In the top of the sixth USSA was able to put some people in position after a few Faulkner mishaps but the Lady Eagles avoided any runs and sent it to the bottom of the inning.
USSA finished the bottom of the sixth without allowing Faulkner to push their lead. They had one more chance in the top of the seventh to complete the comeback. The Lady Eagles would put an end to game one with three straight groundouts.
Faulkner 7, USSA 2
In game two the runs column remained empty until the top of the third inning when USSA put up one run. Faulkner then answered with three more of their own to take a 3-1 lead. Abby Terrell scored the first two runs with a two-run RBI double. Williams then sent Johnson home with an RBI SAC bunt. The Eagles then avoided a further Faulkner lead with an out on the next play.
In the top of the fourth USSA pulled within one after scoring on a Faulkner error. Faulkner evaded the tie with an out on a line drive to Segrest.
The score remained the same till the bottom of the sixth when the Faulkner offense took over. The Lady Eagles started it off with a triple from Ashtyn Pannell followed by a single from Allie Wismer that pushed Pannell home and gave Wismer an RBI. Wismer then stole second. She then stole third on the next at-bat. Segrest would send Wismer home with a single on the next play and earn her an RBI.
With Addyson Jarman up to bat she put Segrest in scoring position on third with a double to right field. Kensley Wesley took the plate and laid down a RBI SAC bunt where she reached after a fielder's choice and sent Segrest across the plate.
Wesley would then steal second to put herself in scoring position on the next at-bat from Terrell. Terrell earned an RBI after she grounded out that allowed Jarman to score and advance Wesley. The Eagles quickly ended the inning before any more damage could be made.
With Faulkner now leading 7-2, they headed to the top of the seventh where they earned the sweep after three quick outs.
Abby Terrell finished the day 4-6 with 3 RBIs. Addyson Jarman also had two hits on the day. The Lady Eagles combined for 17 hits and 10 RBIs.
Faulkner (21-11, SSAC 10-8) hosts UT Southern on Friday, April 11 at 2 & 4 p.m. with Senior Day vs. Blue Mountain to follow on Saturday.
