MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Faulkner jumped out early lead in the opener, but eight unanswered runs carried No. 14 Belhaven to an 8-2 victory before then cruising to a 9-0 win in five innings in the second bout here in the Southern States Athletic Conference doubleheader at Wynn Field.

The Lady Eagles (14-21, 6-14 SSAC) were the first to make a mark on the scoreboard when Kendra Orozco smashed a triple to right field in the first inning of Game 1 knocking in a run. Avery Mott then sent Orozco home with a double to right field giving the home team an early cushion.

Belhaven (34-9, 16-6 SSAC) tied it up the following inning, however, when Jessica Paris drove in a pair of runs with a hit up the middle. The Blazers then catapulted into the lead on a Shelby Watson single and never relinquished control.

The visitors went on to score five more runs over the fifth and sixth innings.

Faulkner muscled its way into a bases-loaded situation in the bottom of the sixth, but was unable to generate any further runs.

The home team got a leadoff hit in the bottom of the first inning in the nightcap courtesy of Keri Hyde, but that was the extent of the offensive attack.

Belhaven, meanwhile, tallied nine runs on 12 hits and three Lady Eagle errors.

Chelsey Dunnaway (3-12) allowed five hits and as many earned runs in four innings of work in the Game 1 loss.

Mattie Dotson entered the event in the fifth inning and gave up three hits and a pair of earned runs in the final three innings from the circle.

Natalie Walker (2-4) has been battling injuries for the bulk of the season and made her first pitching start since March 15. Walker allowed nine hits and seven earned runs in 3 1/3 innings.

Dotson finished the second game as well and gave up three hits and a pair of earned runs in the final 1 2/3 innings.

Mott was 2-for-3 with an RBI in Game 1 and Orozco had a hit and drove in a run.

The team paid tribute seniors Walker, Dunnaway, Morgan Martin, Tia Rogers and Tori Hollis; departing junior Keri Hyde and retiring assistant coach Gary Gregory for their outstanding contributions to the program in a special ceremony before the first game.

From left: Seniors Tia Rogers, Tori Hollis, Chelsey Dunnaway, Natalie Walker, Morgan Martin and junior Keri Hyde are honored before the series.

The team embraces assistant coach Gary Gregory at the close of the ceremony

The Lady Eagles return to action on Tuesday when they travel to take on Mobile in an SSAC doubleheader. Game 1 is set for 4 p.m.