DECATUR, Ala. - No. 2-seed Faulkner (34-13, 17-7 SSAC) took its SSAC Championship opener over No. 7-seed Brewton-Parker Christian (23-22, 10-14 SSAC) before falling to No. 3-seed Mobile (34-13, 15-7 SSAC) via run rule on Thursday.
FAULKNER 9, BREWTON-PARKER CHRISTIAN 3
The Lady Eagles got off to a fast start in their third game against the Barons in a week's time. Three of the first four Faulkner batters hit singles through the infield, culminating in Sarah Williams scoring Chloe Davidson. After a walk to Abby Terrell loaded the bases, a Madelyn Becker hit-by-pitch scored Addyson Jarman. Kelbi Johnson hit a sacrifice fly to plate Williams, and a fielding error on the catcher off the throw from centerfield got Terrell and Becker into scoring position with two outs. Abrianna Davis laced a single to right center to score the two seniors to make the score 5-0 after one.
A Davidson single to lead off the second and a walk to Anna Catherine Segrest ended the day for BPCU starter Samantha Mathews after one inning and five hits, five earned runs and two walks. Jarman loaded the bases once again with a single, and Terrell hit into a fielder's choice to plate Segrest. Jarman stole home off a double steal for her and Terrell to make it 7-0. Becker walked and Davis followed with another two-out double to right to score Terrell and Becker to end the Lady Eagle scoring in just two innings.
The Barons woke up in the third with four singles, as their runs scored on two-out rallies of their own with an Alyssa Usrey two-RBI single in the third and a homer by Anna Green in the fifth. However, the early offensive masterclass held up for Faulkner as the defense got batters out and stranded those who reached to win Game One.
Davidson was a perfect 4-4 at the plate. Jarman and Williams each went 2-4. Davis was 2-3 with four total RBI, two on each hit. Reece Patterson improved her stellar season record to 11-3, going the distance with seven hits, three runs, a walk and three strikeouts.
MOBILE 11, FAULKNER 2 (5 INN.)
The layoff was not kind to the Lady Eagles as the Rams led 8-2 after two innings and outhit Faulkner 17-4. Three singles, a stolen base, an error and a wild pitch gave Mobile the early 3-0 lead. Faulkner quickly narrowed the deficit to one run as Segrest singled, starting off a 2-3 game for her, and Jarman followed with a two-run shot to left. The Rams answered right back, as SSAC Co-Player of the Year Daryelin Rivas and Lucy Spisto narrowly legged out bunt singles, and Diana Arcay followed with her own bomb to left field. A single and a walk then came around to score two base hits later to ensure that the Jarman homer would be as close as Faulkner got. Davidson lasted in the circle for three innings, taking the first loss of her senior season with 11 hits and three walks.
It's a battle to stay alive tomorrow at noon as Faulkner takes on No. 5-seed UT Southern, who dropped its first game to No. 4 Blue Mountain Christian before surviving to walk off Thomas in 14 innings in an elimination game to cap off Day One.
