Eagles clinch series with Bulldogs
Mitch Whatley rifles the ball against the Bulldogs in game one
Feb. 9, 2008
Montgomery, Ala. – After rallying to win yesterday’s series opener with Cumberland University the Eagles wanted to prove that the win wasn’t a one-time deal. After a strong start Faulkner fell behind in game one and was unable to recover and lost 4-2. However, aggressive hitting in game two proved too much for Cumberland and the Eagles blistered the Bulldogs 8-1 taking the series two games to one.
Austin Adams gets on base in game one
Junior pitcher Mitch Whatley started game one for the Eagles and proved quite a force into the fifth inning. He allowed only seven hits and four runs over five innings against a high-powered Cumberland offense, while striking out three batters.
Sophomore Jonathan Gober knocked in two runs in the second inning off a hard single, but for the most part bats were quiet for the Eagles in game one. Cumberland pitcher Lance McClain allowed only five hits and stuck out eight batters to get the win.
Jonathan Gober knocks in a pair of runs with this single in game one
After dropping game one the Eagles looked to take advantage of a clean slate and sent Topher Blanchette to the mound. Things started off a little shaky for Faulkner as Blanchette allowed three hits and a run in the first inning. But the Eagles struck back with two runs, including a lead off homer by Kevin Leslie, his fourth of the year, giving them the lead heading into the second. From that point on Blanchette had the game on lock down. Over the next six innings the sophomore would give up only two hits, while striking out six batters to lead Faulkner to a convincing win.
TJ Santos scores the second run of the game for the Eagles
While Blanchette controlled the tempo from the mound the rest of the Eagles began lighting up the plate. Faulkner had 12 hits in game two and put up three runs apiece in the fourth and sixth innings. Kevin Leslie was 3-for-4 with three RBIs and Austin Adams finished the game 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs. Winston Stone went 3-for-4 at the plate and Jonathan Gober was 2-for-3.
Jordan Cowart finishes game one for Faulkner
The Eagles are now 7-1 on the year and will host Martin Methodist on Tuesday, Feb 12. The Red Hawks are currently 2-2 on the season. Martin Methodist looks to be a strong opponent having battled two ranked opponents so far this season. The doubleheader will begin at 2 p.m. at Harrison Field.