Point Baseball swipes regular season series finale from #11 Faulkner
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Apr. 26, 2024) - The RV Point University Baseball team returned to the field for their final regular season Southern States Athletic Conference Series against #11 Faulkner University where the Skyhawks won the Series 2-1.
Game One (10-7, Win)
The action picked up with Rafael Jackson smacking a two-run homer to right field to give the Skyhawks a 2-0 lead. A pop-up and two strikeouts retired batters for Faulkner to keep the Eagles scoreless at the bottom of the second. Point continued to add pressure to the pitching staff of the Eagles as three walks loaded the bases. Silas Butler followed with a grand slam homer to increase the lead to 6-0 in the top of the fourth inning. Faulkner added their first two runs from an RBI single to center field and a double to cut into the Skyhawks' lead. Silas Butler entered the top of the sixth with unfinished business as he added his second home run of the contest with this one being a two-run shot. Point's lead grew to eight with Jaden Mazzaferro and Rafael Jackson advancing home from wild pitches. Faulkner followed with a two-RBI double and a two-run homer to cut Point's lead to 10-6. The Eagles added another home run to left field in the bottom of the ninth but would be able to surpass the Skyhawks resulting in Point taking Game One. Cameron Seiwert tied a program record with his 11th win on the mound as the starting pitcher and is tied for first in the NAIA for wins.
Game Two (11-0, Win)
Point opened the top of the first with two hits and a walk. Rafael Jackson continued his hot streak adding a grand slam home run to bring the lead to 4-0. Silas Butler followed with a double which advanced Mason Davis home for their fifth run. Jackson added a Two-RBI double to right center to increase the lead to 7-0. Daniel Gonzalez's double to right center was enough to see the speed of Sam Baker add another run as Point continued their hot streak. Rafael Jackson added his seventh RBI of the contest with a double to left field to advance Jaden Mazzaferro home. Faulkner added a groundout on Mason Davis but Rafael Jackson took his opportunity to score the 10th run. Jaden Mazzaferro scored the contest's final run with an RBI single past second base to end the game with a final score of 11-0. Julio Lopez added his eighth win on the mound while pitching his sixth complete game and second consecutive shutout.
Game Three (7-6, Loss)
The action picked up with Sam Baker's bunt being enough to advance Zeb Baird home for the first run of Game Three. Daniel Gonzalez followed with a sacrifice fly to left field with Silas Butler sprinting home to make the game a two-run lead. With bases loaded in the top of the third, a walk from Mason Davis advanced Slade Mink home to bring the score to 3-0. Faulkner followed with two runs in the bottom of the fourth with a runner advancing home through a fielder's choice and a batter being walked to send a runner from third home. Faulkner tied the game with a solo shot to left center and followed on the momentum with a runner sprinting home from a fielding error. Point regained the lead with two runs in the top of the eighth from an error by Faulkner and a two-RBI double by Silas Butler. The Eagles tied the game at 6-6 with two runs in the bottom of the eighth. Faulkner scored the winning run in the bottom of the ninth to take Game three.
Up Next
The Skyhawks finished the regular season with a 32-16 (18-12 SSAC) record and will turn their focus to the SSAC Tournament with the tournament scheduled to begin on Wednesday, May 1st in Jackson, Tennessee. Official postseason seedings and game times will be announced in the following days.