GULF SHORES, Ala. - Faulkner exploded early in today's opener against Notre Dame College (Ohio) and sailed to a 6-2 victory to get things started in the second round of pool play in the Gulf Coast Invitational. The Lady Eagles then battled out of a 2-0 deficit and into a tie against Campbellsville, but a base hit in extra innings secured the 3-2 win for the Tigers.

Faulkner took advantage of every opportunity in Game 1 and posted three runs in the top of the first inning. Notre Dame answered with two scores that same inning, but the Missy Duke-anchored defense put a cork in the Falcon's offensive efforts for the remainder of the outing.

Heather Smith was impressive again at the plate for the Lady Eagles going 3-for4 with three runs and two RBIs and rocked her second home run of the tournament.

Rachel Reiswig went 2-for-4 and knocked in a run.

Duke (3-1) had another stellar performance in the circle for Faulkner. The senior gave up only five hits and allowed no earned runs while tallying seven strikeouts in the win.

Faulkner dug itself into a rut in the third inning of the nightcap when an error on a throw to first ushered in a run for the Tigers. Campbellsville struck again just moments later on an infield hit to gain the 2-0 lead.

The Tigers maintained control of the scoreboard until Smith ripped a two-RBI double to right field in the fifth inning.

The tie held through regulation and into the bottom of the eighth. With the international tiebreaker rule in effect, Emma Napier, the Tigers' leadoff hitter, cracked a line dive up the gut sending Brooke Boils racing home from second base.

Amy Page fired a bullet from center, but Boils inched by Erin Byrd's tag at the plate to lock the victory in Campbellsville's favor.

Mattie Dotson (0-4) was outstanding in Game 2 for the Lady Eagles. The freshman scattered five hits over seven innings and allowed no earned runs while putting away two at the plate.

Smith was 1-for-3 with pair of RBIs against the Tigers.

Faulkner moved to 3-5 on the year and will face Thomas (Ga.) in bracket play on Sunday at 9 a.m.