MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Faulkner (11-5, 2-1 SSAC) took the first SSAC series of the season with a 2-1 series win over Brewton-Parker (8-13, 1-2 SSAC), splitting Saturday's twinbill affair with a dominant 12-2 game two win before a game three collapse handed the Barons game three 11-10.
FAULKNER 12, BREWTON-PARKER 2
Things looked rough for the first few moments of the game as Brewton-Parker tagged two runs on the board with just two outs after
Collin Rittenberry took a line drive off the leg and had to be replaced, but
Brandon Napier entered and proceeded to shove for 4.1 innings to steady the ship and allow the bats to explode.
The Eagles took advantage of an error in the bottom half to capitalize on an Edrien Martínez double to cut the lead in half.
In the second, a two out rally formed when Anthony Bassett drew a walk before
Orlando Arellano scorched a ball through the glove of the first baseman for a double to plate the shortstop.
CJ Robertson broke the deadlock with a double to right center to score
Tevin Landrum who courtesy ran for
Carter Schellsmidt who lifted a double into left field before he came around to score on the wild pitch.
The Eagles plated eight in the fifth to blow the game wide open with seven hits, including a two-hit inning from Martínez.
Napier picked up the win, striking out four and scattering five baserunners before
Caden White and
Caden Whatley each made their varsity debuts with scoreless innings. White struck out two and walked one while Whatley worked three-up, three-down with a highlight reel grab by
Seth Copeland to end it.
BREWTON-PARKER 11, FAULKNER 10
The Eagles fell behind early again but battled back ahead around dodging some big chances from BPC and were in the driver's seat for the sweep, but a disastrous eighth inning cost the Eagles a late loss.
The Barons scored twice in the first, but Faulkner got three back with
Jeyson Polanco extending his hit streak to all 16 games in the season so far with a leadoff homer before a sacrifice fly and a single make it 3-2. Brewton-Parker got one back in the third but three more runs scored in the third as an error gave the Eagles another shot and the go-ahead run. Bassett drove in two more on the next at bat to take a 6-3 lead.
In the fourth, the Barons got two across off a single on a bases loaded single and loaded the bases again, but Bassett robbed a line drive destined for the gap with a dazzling diving catch.
Martinez hit a two-run homer to make it a three-run lead before Colón singled home
Jordan Carter to make it a four run lead in the bottom half of the fourth.
Seth Creasy inherited runners on the corners in the top fifth but could not get the first guy, as a single scored one, but Creasy went lights out, striking out four of the six batters he faced until an injury lifted him from the game on a 2-2 count with two outs.
Mat Mayer entered and threw one pitch to complete the strikeout in the seventh.
In the eighth, the wheels quickly fell off as in a seven minute stretch of real time, a double, a hit by pitch and a walk loaded the bases before a Michael Son single hopped over third base and scored two. After a flyout, another hit by pitch reloaded the bases. After a pitching change, a wild pitch and a ground out scored two more before a single from Jack Morris scored the go-ahead run.
In the bottom of the eighth, Colón hit a one-out single but could not get past first base.
Austin Lippolis threw a one-two-three inning to get the bats back to Faulkner, with a chance. However, a leadoff hit by pitch could not get even to second as three straight Eagles struck out to end the game.
Martínez went crazy at the plate going 5-9 with three doubles, a home run and four RBIs. Colón regained his hot form from the beginning of the year, picking up six hits on the day on nine at bats. Robertson went 3-4 from the plate with three runs scored and three walks drawn. Polanco ended with four hits and three runs scored.
The Eagles conclude the 16 game home stand to start the season and head to Talladega, Ala. to take on the Tornadoes Tuesday at 1 p.m. in the first of an eight game road swing.
