MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Faulkner (21-14, 9-7 SSAC) found itself on the wrong end of a pitcher's duel as Isaac Padilla outlasted
Brandon Napier in a 2-0 Thomas (18-16, 10-6 SSAC) win Friday night at Harrison Field.
Napier (4-2) went eight innings and allowed just two runs, pitching out of tricky spots constantly to keep the Eagles close, stranding nine runners with four strikeouts--an outing quality enough for a win on almost every night. However, his counterpart had one of the best nights you could ask for. The freshman went eight innings for the Night Hawks, striking out eight and allowing just four base runners across three hits with no Eagles getting past second.
The best chances for the Eagles came in the sixth and seventh innings. In the sixth,
Shaun Bridges got just the second hit of the day to lead off the sixth and advanced on a Edrien Martínez walk. However, Padilla picked him off to end the inning with
Jordan Carter at the plate. In the top of the seventh, Carter led off with a double, but could not get further.
The loss was the first time the Eagles have lost at Harrison Field in SSAC play to Thomas and the first time the Eagles were shut out this year.
Faulkner and Thomas play two more on Saturday with the game times moved up to noon.
