No. 3 Faulkner snaps Bulldogs’ 11-game streak with 3-2 victory

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (faulknereagles.com) – David Palenzuela’s two-out single drove in Chase Morris with the tie-breaking run in the bottom of the seventh inning to lift third-ranked Faulkner to a 3-2 victory over 14th-ranked Tennessee Wesleyan here Tuesday evening at Harrison Field.

Morris had led off the inning with a triple for the Eagles, who improved to 16-4 overall with their ninth win against a nationally-ranked opponent. Victor Arche went seven innings for Faulkner to earn his fifth victory in six decisions, with Miguel Castellanos earning his first save. The big right-hander allowed just one base runner in the final two innings, striking out the side in the ninth.

The Eagles took the lead in the bottom of the second when Nick Cain doubled and, after Dennis Morton moved him over with a bunt, scored on Onix Martinez’s sacrifice fly. Arche, who had six strikeouts in the first three innings, surrendered three hits in the top of the third but a pickoff of the Bulldogs’ Malik Stephens kept the visitors off the board.

Faulkner added to its lead in the fifth when Mario Amaral bounced into a double play with the bases loaded an no outs, scoring Alexis Cruz to make it 2-0. The Bulldogs tied it in the top of the sixth, when Wardy Polanco blasted a two-run homer.

Cain had a pair of doubles and Palenzuela two singles to lead the Faulkner attack. Reliever Danny Guido took the loss for the Bulldogs (12-5), who had their 11-game winning streak snapped with the loss.

Faulkner and Tennessee Wesleyan conclude their two-game set Wednesday afternoon. First pitch is set for 3 at Harrison Field.