Boyd's slam lifts Faulkner over AUM in 12th
March 21
Montgomery Advertiser Article
Kevin Boyd hit a grand slam in the top of the 12th inning to lead Faulkner to a 7-2 win over AUM in Southern States Athletic Conference baseball action Friday.
The game was a pitchers' duel until the final inning as Faulkner starter Austin Adams pitched into the eighth inning allowing just two runs and seven hits. AUM starter Brock Piper pitched into the 10th inning, allowing eight hits and two runs.
AUM walked Winston Stone to get to Boyd, and Boyd made the Senators pay. Cody Bridgman followed with a solo home run to account for the final margin.
"This is a huge win for this team," said Faulkner coach Brent Barker. "They swept four games from us last year, and we needed this to build some confidence. Our guys just battled and battled. We had chances to win it earlier in the game and we had chances to lose it, but our guys just hung in there and I'm so proud of the effort and determination.
"This is the kind of game that does great things for a ball club, not just because we won but how we won it."
Mike Zenko pitched the final two-plus innings in relief of Adams to earn the victory.
Both teams had their opportunities to win the game, but none better than in the bottom of the ninth, when Will Sellers was standing on first base with one out and Cody Shields drove the ball into the right-centerfield gap. Sellers tried to circle the bases, but Faulkner right fielder Michael Colley made a perfect throw to second baseman Bridgman, who made a perfect throw to home, just beating a sliding Sellers.
Boyd finished with three hits. Kevin Leslie had three hits and an RBI. Bridgman also homered earlier in the game.
Shields finished with four hits. Bruce Alter, Tanner Williams and Justin Williams all had two hits.
AUM (15-12, 6-3 SSAC) and Faulkner (18-10, 5-3) play a doubleheader today beginning at 2 p.m. at AUM.