MONTGOMERY, Ala. - A season with high expectations began slowly for No. 8 Faulkner, with the its bats silenced for much of the season opener against Southeastern here Friday afternoon. The Eagles struck late to send the game into extra innings, then won 4-3 in dramatic fashion in the first game of a doubleheader at Harrison Field.

Trailing 3-1 heading into the bottom of the ninth inning, Faulkner's Zach Colby tied it with two-run home run, driving in David Bishop with the long blast. An inning later the Eagles won it when Tucker Willard scored on Bishop's walk-off single.

"It was a great way to start the season, by battling from behind to beat a good ball club," Faulkner head coach Patrick McCarthy said. "We had to grind it out, but we got the big hits when we needed them."

After Faulkner starter Corey Black faced just one above the minimum in his four hitless innings of work, Southeastern grabbed a 1-0 lead in the fifth, still without recording a hit. A couple of walks and an infield groundout put the Fire on top, and the lead grew to 2-0 an inning later.

Matt Creel singled in a run for the Eagles in the seventh, trimming the margin to 2-1, but Southeastern answered with a run in the top of eighth, thanks to a hit batsman, a balk and a wild pitch, setting the stage for Faulkner's comeback in the ninth. Creel earned the victory in relief for the Eagles, allowing no runs and three hits in two-plus innings of work.

Willard, Bishop and Colby all had a pair of hits apiece for Faulkner.

Game 2 was called in the bottom of the fourth inning due to inclement weather with Faulkner on top 4-1. It will not be made up, according to McCarthy.

The Eagles host Webber International in a doubleheader Saturday at Harrison Field. First pitch is scheduled for noon.