MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Faulkner (20-11, 6-6 SSAC) made a five-game losing streak a distant memory with a Battle of I-85 sweep of Point (10-20, 2-8 SSAC) at Wynn Field on Good Friday thanks to strong performances in complete games in the circle from Addison Moseley and Chloe Davidson.
FAULKNER 9, POINT 5
Moseley put up a career-best nine strikeouts in the opener against the Skyhawks, two more than the previous high of seven for the freshman from Opp, Ala., versus Reinhardt in the NFCA Leadoff Classic, while scattering eight hits, four walks and three earned runs. She and Point pitcher Chloe Mitcham and their defenses kept the opposing offenses scoreless until the fifth inning, with seven of Moseley's strikeouts coming in a scoreless game.
After Madelyn Becker flew into a double play to end the fourth frame, Point broke through when 9-hole hitter Caroline Bagwell doubled when Anna Catherine Segrest lost the fly ball in the sun. Bagwell came home when Alexa McCoy advanced to second via a Moseley throwing error on her sac bunt, and Avery Lee plated McCoy on a single to left. A single and a walk loaded the bases before Moseley and the defense passed their biggest test yet as Segrest made up for the miscues with a fielder's choice at second.
With one gone in the bottom of the fifth, Abrianna Davis hit a single between Mitcham's legs before a walk to Bailea Boone and a Davidson single loaded the bases. The sequence ended Mitcham's day, but it was too late as the Lady Eagles ensured her lead wouldn't be propped up by her relievers. Segrest tied it with a single to left that scored Davis and Boone. Jarman gave her team the lead for good with a double to score Davidson. Sarah Williams then doubled off the wall in left to plate Segrest and Jarman as Alyssa Burrows's day ended on three run-scoring hits on as many at-bats. Moseley then showed her the Point pitching staff how to do it right with two swinging strikeouts and a flyout to Boone in left field.
Kelbi Johnson grounded out and Davis popped up to short in the bottom of the sixth for two quick outs. However, Boone started the two-out rally with another walk. Davidson brought the speedy freshman from Holtville, Ala., home with a standup triple to centerfield. Segrest scored her leadoff hitter with a double to left before Jarman capped off the Lady Eagle offensive showcase with a two-run shot to left. A three-RBI single in the next-to-last at-bat made the score more respectable for Point, but Becker secured the final two outs by stretching out for a lineout and retreating to catch the clinching popup.
FAULKNER 7, POINT 1
In just her second time in the circle this season and her first at home after a barnburner against Campbellsville in the Leadoff Classic, Davidson earned her second win and the first strikeouts of her senior season to secure the sweep. The Wetumpka native struck out six and allowed just four hits and an unearned run.
The Skyhawks scored first as MaKenzie Gilliland led off with a single to left and got into scoring position with a sac bunt and a wild pitch. Aubryn Sward then flew out to Abbie Davis in right, and in trying to stop Gilliland from tagging up, the outfielder overshot the catcher and third baseman and Gilliland proceeded home on the errant throw. Davidson then struck out the side to limit the damage. Following singles from Boone and Davidson, Jarman tied the game on a single to left to plate her pitcher.
A flyout to Jarman and consecutive strikeouts by Davidson resulted in a three-up three-down top of the fourth. Avery Goff then absorbed a beanball in the bottom half, and the freshman would prove to be the go-ahead run as Abrianna Davis singled and the left fielder lost the ball to score the former and advance the latter to third. Johnson then laid down the sacrifice squeeze bunt for Davis to slide home underneath the tag.
Jarman then added another run to her day; she led off the bottom of the fifth with a double to left and scored after consecutive sac bunts by Williams and Abbie Davis. Abrianna Davis led off the bottom of the sixth frame with a single before advancing to third on a Johnson sac bunt and a Boone single. Davidson plated the designated player on a single, Boone came home on a wild pitch and Segrest scored Davidson with a sac bunt.
The Lady Eagles head on the read for their next five series, starting with a doubleheader at Thomas on Tuesday, the 7th, at 1 and 3 pm.
