PULASKI, Tenn. – Tennessee Southern wrapped up its weekend series with No. 13 Faulkner on Saturday at Bobby Walker Field, with the Eagles taking the finale 28–5. Despite the result in the final game, the Firehawks secured the first series victory over Faulkner in program history after claiming the first two contests of the weekend.
Faulkner broke through in the third inning, capitalizing on several extra-base hits to build an early lead.
Tennessee Southern threatened in the bottom of the second when Gage Beckner doubled to left-center, but the Firehawks were unable to bring him home.
The Firehawks broke onto the scoreboard in the fourth inning. Cooper Phillips singled and moved into scoring position on a wild pitch before Beckner drew a walk. After Masato Mizumori lifted a fly ball to center, Phillips raced home on the throw to trim the deficit to 10–1.
Beckner continued to pace the Firehawks at the plate. The sophomore finished with two doubles and two RBIs, including a key hit in the seventh inning.
Tennessee Southern mounted a late rally in the bottom of the seventh. Hudson Schmitz worked a walk to begin the frame and Evan Nelson followed with another free pass. After Phillips drew a walk to load the bases, Beckner delivered a two-run double to left-center to score Schmitz and Nelson. Moments later, Baron Cribbs lined a single to right-center that brought home Phillips and Beckner to cut the margin to 28–5 before the final out.
Beckner led the Firehawks with two hits and two RBIs, both coming on doubles. Cribbs added a hit and two RBIs, while Phillips reached base twice and scored two runs. Nelson drew three walks and scored once, and Schmitz added a walk and a run scored. Zac Wilson collected a hit earlier in the game, and Anthony Pastrana also reached base with a walk and stole a base.
Tennessee Southern returns to action Friday, March 13, opening another Southern States Athletic Conference series at Bobby Walker Field against No. 9 Loyola.
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