Faulkner spoils opener for No. 8 Cumberland
Shortstop Austin Adams beats the runner at first for the out
Feb. 8, 2008
Montgomery, Ala. - The Eagles hosted the first of a three game series with Cumberland University this afternoon. The NAIA eighth ranked Bulldogs opened their season today against Faulkner and though they had an explosive fourth inning the Eagles were able to fight back for a 9-7 victory.
TJ Santos fires the ball to first for the out
Cumberland jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning, but Faulkner punched back in the second with a two-run homer by Kevin Boyd. After an uneventful third inning the Bulldogs stormed the scoreboard. Cumberland was able to knock in five runs in the fourth inning as the Eagles continued to struggle at the plate.
Kevin Boyd cranks a two-run shot over center to give the Eagles a 2-1 lead
Senior pitcher Brent DeFoor returned to the mound in the fifth after a long battle in the previous inning and was able to silence the rowdy pack by keeping them scoreless. Still trailing 6-2 the Eagles did what they do best – fight. Kevin Leslie stepped to the plate determined to boost team spirits and he did just that. Leslie found the left field wall and then some with his solo shot to lead off the inning. Soon after Jose Morillo belted a two-run homer to give the Eagles their first lead since the second inning.
Freshman Roberto Ferguson took the mound in the sixth and continued the frustration left for the Bulldogs by DeFoor. Ferguson allowed only one hit over two innings and when things did began looking slightly sunny for Cumberland junior shortstop Austin Adams reeled in a high drive sending runners to the dugout.
The Eagles continued to hit well into the sixth inning, but couldn’t manage a run. With the bases loaded, two outs and a count favoring the pitcher Faulkner needed a big play. Austin Adams maintained his composure as usual, but signaled for a late timeout and with the windup in motion clutched the bat at the last second and sent the ball the right field wall. Three runs scored and though Adams was able to beat the throw to third the Eagles couldn’t bring him home before the inning closed.
The teams were able to earn a run each in the eighth inning and with a scoreless ninth the Eagles were able to hold on for the 9-7 victory.
“It was a big win for us,” head coach Brent Barker said. “We had to come back from a four run deficit against a great team. Kevin Leslie and Jose Morillo helped put us back on the board with those home runs and Austin Adams’ big triple in the third really sealed it for us.
“Roberto Ferguson also did a great job and got the win and of course Austin Adams got the save,” added Barker. “It was a great team win. We played a lot of kids and it took everybody.”
Austin Adams gets the save in game one against the Bulldogs
The Eagles move to 6-0 on the season while the Bulldogs begin 0-1. The teams will face off again Saturday afternoon in a doubleheader beginning at noon at Harrison Field.