The Fayette Lady Falcons picked up their first win at home on Tuesday, routing Sturgeon 15-2 in five frames after a 10-run second inning.

To Fayette fans, the win felt overdue after letting the home opener against Battle slip away in an 8-7 decision three days prior.

“I'm glad we got this win, especially after getting the loss on Monday,” said Fayette coach Bri Busker. “I’m glad we could come out and get a win tonight.”

Fayette allowed a run in the top of the first after giving up a leadoff double and two-out RBI single. But the Falcons more than made up for it in the second inning with 10 runs, batting around the order nearly twice and forcing a pitching change.

A leadoff single by freshman Hallie Ball, followed by a reach of first by freshman Brylee Eubanks base on a dropped third strike, and a walk to sophomore Camryn Ballew loaded the bases with no outs. A walk to sophomore Jordan Barnhill sent the tying run home. A Sturgeon error on a groundball from sophomore Blakley Baylor then allowed three runs to score, giving Fayette a 4-1 lead with no outs.

Later in the inning, leadoff hitter Emma Hilgedick, a senior, reached on a fielder’s choice and scored on a wild pitch. A single to center field by senior Brooklyn Wies then scored senior Kennady Vroman, who reached on a walk.

A five-run lead prompted Sturgeon to put a fresh arm in the circle. But Fayette continued to tee off at the plate. Senior Greycen Syferd delivered a single, and Ball walked in her second at-bat of the inning. Eubanks then drove in Wies on an infield RBI single. Ballew then drove in two runs on a hard liner to center field. Freshman courtesy runner Genavieve Kennedy then scored a wild pitch to give Fayette a commanding 10-1 lead.

“That's what you want as an offense. Putting the pressure on them and forcing them to make the plays. And that's what we did,” Busker said.

The Bulldogs were able to add a second run on back-to-back errors by Fayette in the top of the third. But Fayette added three more in the bottom of the frame. Wies added an RBI single, then scored on a passed ball. Syferd then scored on a Bulldogs error to regain a double-digit lead.

An RBI double by Vroman off the center field fence and an RBI single from Syferd put the game out of reach, 15-2 in the bottom of the fourth.

Eubanks gave up a single in the top of the fifth before shutting the door on Sturgeon with three straight strikeouts to end the game after five innings.

Eubanks had a solid night in the circle, allowing two runs (1 earned) on three hits without issuing a walk. She struck out nearly half the batters she faced, nine of 20.

The freshman right-hander is now 3-2 in five games started this season.

“She was really good,” Busker said about her ace. “We had some lessons learned from Monday. We've been working to get ahead in the account and using different pitches to change eye levels and speed levels instead of just pitching straight to the strike zone.”

At the plate, Eubanks helped her own cause with a 1-for-3 performance and a run batted in.

The top of the Falcons’ lineup laid down nine of the team’s 12 hits. Wies led the team with a perfect outing, going 4-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.

“Consistently, Brooklynn Wies had a great night,” Busker said. “We have a strong lineup that can hit.”

Vroman went 2-for-3 with three runs scored and one RBI. She had the team’s only extra-bases hit with a double off the center field wall.

Hitting cleanup, Syferd turned in a 3-for-4 performance with an RBI and two runs scored. Ball went 1-for-2 with two walks and scored twice. Ballew drove in two runs and scored once on a 1-for-2 night with a walk.

On the base paths, the team’s two courtesy runners, Kennedy and Dixie DeGraffenreid, each stole a base.

The Falcons, now 3-2, get a break after playing their first five games in six days, the last two of which were postponed due to excessive heat. Fayette was set to open Central State 8 action against New Bloomfield on Tuesday after the Advertiser went to press. The Wildcats won their only game of the season 5-4 over Vienna in an 18-inning marathon on August 31.

New Bloomfield claimed a 10-run decision over the Falcons a year ago. Coach Busker said the girls are looking forward to playing this year’s matchup at home.

“I think being at home gives us the advantage,” she said.

The first pitch was scheduled for 5 p.m. On Saturday, the Falcons enter the annual Terry Early New Franklin Tournament and will face Van-Far at 10:40 a.m. at the high school field. The winner will advance to the championship semifinals at 2 p.m. on the high school field. The loser will play the consolation semifinal at 12:20 p.m. on the high school field.