MONTGOMERY, Ala. - After a two-week hiatus Faulkner was back in action this afternoon against Georgia Gwinnett for its home opener here at Wynn Field. The Lady Eagles opened the season in a series split with the Grizzlies, but Faulkner dominated in this afternoon's rematch. The home team erupted with 10 runs in the first inning of Game 1 and cruised to a 10-2 blowout in five innings of action. Gwinnett stabilized in Game 2, but methodical play by the Eagles in the sixth inning secured the 4-2 victory.

It looked as if Faulkner could do no wrong in the opening event when the Lady Eagles blazed through the lineup putting 11 consecutive players on base.

Gwinnett's Tiffany Bailey struggled in the circle giving up five hits and eight earned runs. Bailey left the game before logging an out. All 10 of Faulkner's runs were posted in the first inning.

Ashley Beyke took over and all but quenched the fire allowing just three hits and no runs in four innings of work. She added four strikeouts.

Chelsey Dunnaway (2-0) earned her second win of the season against the Grizzlies. The junior transfer from Columbiana scattered five hits over as many innings and allowed only two earned runs and tallied six strikeouts.

The teams traded scores in the third inning of Game 2, but the visitors clawed out to a lead in the fifth when a runner scored on a wild throw to first.

Tori Hollis single-handedly answered in the bottom of the same inning with a solo blast to deep center. 

Faulkner rediscovered it's early game one focus and solid execution at the plate coupled with smart base running ushered in a pair of runs and ultimately the win.

Bailey reset during the break and reentered the circle for Game 2 with a completely different approach. In four innings she gave up just two hits and one earned run.

Beyke took over in the fifth and allowed three hits and a pair of earned runs.

Faulkner's Natalie Walker (1-0) was on point in the second bout to anchor the defense. The junior transfer out of Dothan allowed just five hits and a single earned run while putting away eight at the plate.

Hollis was 2-for-3 on the day with a pair of RBIs and runs. Keri Hyde was 3-for-7 and scored three runs and knocked in another.

Morgan Martin was 1-for-2 in the opener and logged three RBIs and scored. Erin Byrd had an RBI-single in Game 1 and scored twice. Sophie Slemp added an RBI and a run.

"We're happy with the outcome today," said head coach Hal Wynn. "We felt that the second game got away from us at their place and we needed to go to work today. We had some errors we need to clean up and I'd like to see us more consistant at the plate throughout play - not just early or late in a game. Overall it's definitely a step in the right direction."

Faulkner moved to 3-1 on the season and will open conference action at home against Emmanuel on March 1. The doubleheader is scheduled for 3 p.m. here at Wynn Field.

FUN NOTE: Faulkner's Brooke Chittam got engaged in a surprise purposal after Game 2.

Photo gallery to come...