GULF SHORES, Ala. - When Belhaven slipped by Faulkner in the first game of the Southern States Athletic Conference tournament on Thursday, few thought the the Lady Eagles would make an impact the remainder of the weekend. Four consecutive elimination-game wins later, however, the team found itself in uncharted waters and at the doorstep of the league title game. A relatively quiet Faulkner bunch rallied out of a 2-0 deficit in the seventh inning against William Carey, and masterful play in extended innings slingshotted the Lady Eagles into a 4-2 victory and the program's first ever tournament semifinal appearance. The upset squad then looked for redemption against Belhaven. The Blazers capitalized on every opportunity while keeping Faulkner off balance, however, and claimed the 6-3 win here on survival Saturday.

The Lady Eagles sparked their impossible run with three impressive victories yesterday, but proved they weren't done today when they faced off against third-seeded William Carey.

The Crusaders (37-16) had lost just a single game in the post season to No. 2 Mobile in a 1-0 decision on Friday. William Carey then took out it's frustrations on Auburn Montgomery with an 8-0 pummeling in just five innings to advance into today's matchup.

Things started off sloppy for Faulkner as an infield error in the bottom of the first inning moved a runner into scoring position for the Crusaders. The team capitalized on the offering with a single to hard right from Kimberly Giblert to take an early 1-0 lead.

William Carey then added to scoring summary with a hard single up the middle in the third.

Faulkner refused to go down quietly, however, and that resilience paid off in the do-or-die seventh inning.

The Lady Eagles made every effort to ignite the scoreboard and came up big on two singles and a Crusader error that allowed a run to score. Avery Mott, then took home on a wild pitch, breathing new life into the underdogs.

William Carey managed to move a pair of runners into scoring position in their ensuing at bat, but upset-minded Faulkner fought through the threat propelling the game into extra innings.

The birds went to ward again in the eighth. The Crusaders made a crucial mistake in striking leadoff hitter Abbie Pierce with the opening pitch as she would go on score the go-ahead run on a close play at home as an extension of a Kendra Orozco single to left field.

Mott then improved Faulkner's status by bringing Orozco home with a hard single to left as well.

The Lady Eagle defense then went on full lockdown and tallied three straight outs to clinch the thrilling upset.

No one could have asked for more from Mattie Dotson (15-9) in the final ball game of her career. The senior right-hander held a potent William Carey club to just seven hits and a single earned run while striking out nine in the upset.

Mott and Jessica Butterworth were each 2-for-4 in the game and Mott had a crucial run and RBI.

The Lady Eagles wasted little time in jumping on top of Belhaven with a two-RBI double in the first inning courtesy of Sophie Slemp.

Faulkner shot itself in the foot almost immediately however, when it gift-wrapped a pair of runs for the fourth seed. The Blazers capitalized on an infield throwing error, trimming the Faulkner lead to one, and a bobbled ball and close call at first moved the event into a tie that same inning.

Belhaven earned two runs the following inning, however, when Josie Porter pelted a two-run shot to dead center.

The Lady Eagles had an opportunity in the third, but squandered a bases-loaded advantage while the Blazers progressed into a 5-2 lead.

Faulkner finally turned the gears again in the fourth when Butterworth drove in a run on a single through the hole at third. A double play with another bases-loaded situation just moments later, however, squashed any hopes of further damage.

Belhaven, meanwhile, kept chipping away and hung the final run of the ball game in the second half of the inning.

Faulkner was relentless in its effort to offset the deficit, but the 6-3 margin was too big an obstacle to overcome so late in the contest. The Lady Eagles stranded nine runners in the outing.

Hayden Strickland (10-7) battled a tight zone throughout the second game. The sophomore right-hander allowed 10 hits and four earned runs in the loss.

Makenzie Anthony went 2-for-2 against the Blazers and Hannahlee Harris scored twice.

Slemp was an impressive 4-for-7 on the day and had a pair of RBIs in the season finale. She was later named to the all-tournament team.

Faulkner played more tournament games than any other team and had the second best winning percentage behind 4-0 champion Mobile. The team was 30-20 on the year, the program's best finish since 2006.