PULASKI, Tenn. - Faulkner overcame a host of errors and moved into a narrow lead late in Game 1 against Martin Methodist here this afternoon. The RedHawks battled back in the bottom of the eighth inning however, and clinched the 8-7 victory. The Lady Eagles then fended off another RedHawk rally in the night cap to earn the split with the 3-2 win.

"We had too many errors," said head softball coach Hal Wynn. "We've stressed this before. Mistakes are going to happen, but eight over a single series caused us obvious problems and this is something we have to address."

Faulkner had five errors in the opener that ultimately helped the home team gain two runs in the fourth inning.

A three-run homer to hard left field in the fifth moved Martin Methodist into a 5-2 lead, but the Lady Eagles answered with four runs to take a lead in their final at-bat.

The RedHawks tied the event in the seventh inning, forcing extended play.

Faulkner took advantage of the runner at second in the international tie-breaker situation, but Martin Methodist did one batter and secured the victory.

Chelsey Dunnaway started in the circle for Faulkner in the opener and carried the defense through four and two-thirds innings. She gave up five hits and three earned runs while putting away four at the plate.

Mattie Dotson (3-2) suffered the loss allowing five hits and a single earned run over the remainder of the event. The sophomore had three strikeouts.

The Lady Eagles sparked midway through Game 2, generating three runs in the third. A three-error fourth inning however, nearly balanced the equation. 

The RedHawks tallied a pair of runs before Faulkner retired the side. The 3-2 score held through regulation.

Natalie Walker (6-1) picked up the win allowing just three hits and a single earned run in the win. The junior logged five strikeouts.

Abbie Pierce was an impressive 5-for-6 with a pair of RBIs and a run in the series and Tia Rogers was 3-for-6 with two RBIs and runs.

Keri Hyde was 3-for-5 and Tori Hollis was 3-for-8 and each had two runs and an RBI on the day.

Faulkner moved to 14-3 overall and will enter three consecutive days of Southern States Athletic Conference action next week. The Lady Eagles will open league play with Brewton-Parker at Wynn Field on Thursday at 4 p.m.