The Wolf Pack even the score at five-all in the top of the fifth inning, but end up falling short
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Taking on the top team in the conference, the Loyola University New Orleans baseball team was unable to pull out the game-one upset, falling 11-7 to No. 2 Faulkner on Friday night.
While the home team would get on the board first with a pair of runs in the second inning, the Wolf Pack (15-19, 0-13 SSAC) responded in the top of the next frame. With two outs in the inning, Jesse Jordan, Brandon Wilson Jr. and Allen Dennis each slapped singles to load the bases for Payton Alexander. An error by Faulkner's (28-8, 12-1) third baseman allowed Loyola to score two and even the score.
The Eagles would score two more but once again the Pack came back with a run of their own on a solo home run by Luke LaCoste. Loyola would draw the game even at five, with Dennis driving in Wilson after he reached on a double before coming in to score on a wild pitch. After Faulkner scored three to take the lead, they would hold on for the victory through the remainder of the game, as the Wolf Pack chipped in two more to bring their final run total to seven, compared to the home team's 11.
The two teams will finish off their series with a doubleheader tomorrow in Montgomery, Ala. beginning at 1 p.m.
Wolf Pack Head Coach Doug Faust
"We swung the bats really well tonight against one of the best pitchers we've faced and one of the best in the country, but we were able to knock him out in the fifth inning. Mickey pitched really well for us, he threw well in good, quality spots for us. We battled tonight and went toe-to-toe with one of the best teams in the country, we were maybe one or two hits away from controlling the game. Our guys do a good job of ignoring records and showing up and playing well, and we'll do that again tomorrow."
Pack Facts
Four members of the Wolf Pack recorded multi-hit games today: Payton Alexander, Allen Dennis, Jesse Jordan, and Brandon Wilson Jr.
Dennis extended his hit streak to eight games, and is batting .484 (15/31) with six runs scored, four doubles, two home runs and 10 RBI during that stretch.
Jase Biehl pushed his hitting streak to eight games today after going 1-5 with a run scored.
Luke LaCoste connected on his first home run of the season to lead off the fourth inning.
You can keep up with the Pack this season by following Wolf Pack Athletics on Facebook at Facebook.com/LoyolaWolfPack, Twitter and Instagram @LoyolaWolfPack, and by checking out our website at LoyolaWolfPack.com.
