MONTGOMERY, Ala. - With the difference between one win and three to Lewiston on the line, the Eagles came to play against the No. 1 seed Ottawa Braves (44-9, 1-1 OR) at Harrison Field. With a dominant performance beginning in the top of the second sparked by a Kevin Saenz two-run bomb, the Eagles (36-15, 2-0 OR) gained momentum and never lost it scoring 15 total runs and 11 unanswered until the bottom of the eighth.
The impressive Faulkner performance against the Braves pitching staff, who had not given up more than 16 hits a game all season, gave up 19 hits to Faulkner.
After Saenz homer, Jack Brinkley hit one up the middle for an RBI bringing home Gilliam. In the top of the third Juan Trinidad hit a single into center, Alex Arauz doubled to left to bring home Trinidad for an RBI. Ben Hargis came in at second for Arauz scoring off of Justice Lucas's double bringing the game to 5-0 in the top of the third.
Shortstop Shawn Ross would score off of Lucas's sac fly into center bringing it to 6-0 in the top of the 5th. Faulkner would load the bases on an Arauz double, a Lucas walk, and a well placed bunt from Saenz. This would bring up Evan Gilliam to bat, hitting an RBI single, scoring Hargis. Kam Wells would pinch hit for Brinkley and would score Gilliam, Saenz and Lucas for three RBI with a double to left field. Faulkner would finish their run with four runs in the top of the ninth scoring from a SAC fly Ross and an RBI single from Peyton Davis topping it off with another two run bomb from Saenz.
Game 2 starter J.C. Toro struck out six over 4.1 before exiting the game. Hunter Dupuy entered with two runners on and collected two of his four strikeouts to escape unscathed. After 2.2 only giving up 2 hits and one run, Dupuy (5-1) earned the win. Ford Hilyer would close out the game with one strikeout over two innings.
Faulkner will play game six tomorrow at 6 p.m. against either Ottawa or Reinhardt. With a win, the Eagles will return to Lewiston for the ninth straight time, a loss triggers the if necessary game Thursday.
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