COCHRAN, Ga. - Faulkner strung nine runs through three innings to claim the 9-2 victory in the opener of this afternoon's Southern States Athletic Conference matchup with Middle Georgia State before edging the home team 8-7 in nine innings the nightcap.

After three quiet innings trailing 1-0, Hannah Qualls electrified the Lady Eagles with a three-run blast to center field in the top of the fourth to give the visitors the lead.

Not to be outdone, teammate Kelsey Hartley echoed the effort the following inning with a three-run bomb of her own to left field.

Faulkner punched in three more runs in the sixth while the Knights mustered just one additional run that same inning. 

Mattie Dotson (4-1) scattered four hits over seven innings while striking out six batters in the conference win. Both Knight runs were earned and they are the first allowed by the senior in five appearances this season.

Middle Georgia State took a commanding lead half way through the second bout with a five-hit, four-run fourth inning.

The cushion was short-lived, however, as Faulkner connected for five runs on six hits and a Knight error in the subsequent trip to the plate.

The teams then traded runs through the three innings before Qualls catapulted the visitors back into the lead and eventual win with a solo homer to right field in top of the ninth.

Emma Cornell gave up six hits and four earned runs while logging three innings from the circle to open game Game 2. Hayden Strickland (2-3) took over in the bottom of the fourth and gave up six hits and three earned runs in six inning of work to gain the win. 

Jessica Butterworth was 5-for-8 with five runs and an RBI on the afternoon. Qualls went 4-for-8 with an impressive five RBIs and three runs.

Abbie Pierce was 2-for-4 with a run in the opener and Makenzie Anthony was 2-for-3 and scored in Game 2.

Faulkner (8-4/2-2 SSAC) will next take on Chaminade University in Hawaii on Tuesday at 11 a.m.