MONTGOMERY, Ala. - #16 William Carey Baseball split a Thursday double header against SSAC foe Faulkner University, taking game one 9-5 but falling 12-10 in game two at Harrison Field.

The Crusaders started game one with Bailee Hendon and Rigoberto Hernandez staking Carey to a 6-0 lead in the first with a couple of three run home runs.  Faulkner added a run in the second and another in the fifth.  After a two hour rain delay, WCU pushed their lead to seven with two runs in the sixth and one in the seventh. 

The Eagles threatened in bottom of the seventh pushing across three runs but relief pitcher Lane Jarreau was able to work out the jam to preserve the win.  Andrew Shirah picked up the win going 5.1 innings, allowing two runs on five hits with five strikeouts.

Game two got underway with Patrick Lee launching a solo homerun to right in the first but Faulkner answered with four runs in the bottom half of the inning.  Both teams would then trade a run in the second and WCU would cut the deficit to 5-3 in the third with Lee scoring on a dropped third strike.

The Crusaders would continue to fight their way back and in the fourth would take an 8-5 lead.  Bobby Lada would score the first run on a solo shot to left center and Lee drove in a run with a double to left.  Jake Lycette would put WCU in front with a two RBI double to left center and Preston Ratliff capped the scoring with a RBI double down the left field line.

The lead would be short lived as the Eagles plated three runs in the fifth to tie the game but Carey retook the lead with a run in the sixth.  Both teams continued to trade runs with Faulkner taking a 10-9 lead with two runs in the seventh but Hendon tied the game once again with a solo shot in the eighth.

However, the Eagles would use a two run homerun in the bottom of the eighth to take the lead for good. 

Carey is back in action today as they look to wrap up the series against Faulkner.  First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 pm.