Eagles Come Back from the Brink...

Montgomery, AL - This game falls under the category of, "You can't make this stuff up"...  The Eagles were playing Keiser University on Tuesday afternoon in a "do or die" game for both teams. The winner gets to breathe and play another day. The loser sees its season end and travel back home. When you see this final score - you really have no idea of what really went on in the game.  What appears to be somewhat of a blowout win for the Eagles at 11-6 was really a nail-biter game where the Eagles had their backs against the wall and the floor was falling out from under them.

Through the first six innings of the game, it was a pretty standard game and the Eagles opened up to a 5-2 lead after scoring three runs in the top of the six. Although he did not get the start, Pablo Barquero was on the mound and was pitching very good after taking over for Jordan Hampton who started the game. Hampton got through two innings before being pulled for Barquero. Hampton ended up giving up two runs in those first two innings, but Barquero came in and shut the Seahawks down through five innings. After the Eagles' offense got going and put up the three runs in the top of the sixth, it appeared that they might move on to the next game - but the bottom of the sixth happened. The bottom of the sixth saw Barquero run into a little trouble and he was pulled in favor of Hunter Paulsen. After getting the first two out of the sixth inning, Barquero gave up a series of hits and a run was scored bringing the score to 5-3 Eagles. With two men on base, Paulsen was brought in to get through the final out of the inning - however - the two men on base would score while Paulsen was pitching. Parker Miller was brought in after Paulsen faced four batters and he got the final out - but the game had now switched to the lead going back to Keiser, 6-5. In total, four runs were scored in the bottom of the sixth and what looked very promising in the top of the sixth was now in serious doubt.

Miller would stay in to pitch the remainder of the game and after pitching two excellent innings in the seventh and eighth, things got really bizarre the rest of the way. In the top of the ninth, Lance Dockery put on his Superman cape and saved the game for the Eagles by hitting a solo shot to tie the game at 6-6. The Eagles would go into the bottom of the ninth trying to keep Keiser off the board. The inning did not start off well for Miller as he would hit the first batter putting him on base. A speedrunner was put in to pinch run for the Seahawks and that runner quickly stole second base.  Then on a routine throw back to the pitcher from the catcher, Miller was distracted and the ball went past him. the runner moved to third base - now in scoring position with the game and the season on the line for the Eagles. Miller walked the next batter and the runner eventually stole second with the infield pushed up. All this time there are no outs and the season seems to be over for the Eagles with a runner 90 feet from home plate. Miller never showed any signs of being rattled by the runner on third and was able to strike out the next batter. The next batter for Keiser was intentionally walked to load up the bases for the possibility of turning a double play - but also keeping that runner on third from scoring. Miller calmly struck out the next batter as well. With two outs, the infield was able to shift back to normal position and the next batter for the Seahawks hit a grounder to Nick Sanders playing shortstop and a throw was made to Alex Coulter playing first base.  Somehow the Eagles were able to walk away from being 90 feet away from having their season ended by Keiser and the bizarre ending to this game was not over.

In the top of the tenth inning, the Eagles were able to score five runs putting the game out of reach for Keiser. The Eagles' offense got going a little and they had some help from a fielding error and a balk by the Seahawks pitching. Tucker Zdunich, Dawson Johns, Jarrett Burney, Cedric Cullars, and Lance Dockery all scored in the top of the tenth. Four of the five runs were unearned because of misplays by the Seahawks' defense and after this long game - the Eagles will take it and move on to play Wednesday afternoon against the loser of the Ottowa vs Faulkner game which is being played on Tuesday night. The game tomorrow will be at 3 pm again and will be broadcast on Faulkner's YouTube channel once again.  More information and game links to come as it is available.

Game balls for the Eagles today would go to Parker Miller and the defense for getting out of a tough spot on the brink of everything coming to an end and Lance Dockery for getting the key home run to keep the Eagles alive. In tournament play, it is always win/survive and move on - and that is exactly what Eagles Baseball did this afternoon.

 https://faulknereagles.com/feature/NAIA_Baseball_Opening_Round_Montgomery_Bracket