MONTGOMERY, Ala. - After orchestrating a methodical rally to force extra innings against Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) in the first game of the day, Faulkner fell apart in a four-error, ninth inning fiasco that culminated in an 8-4 loss. The Lady Eagles again saw extended play in its ensuing game with Point (Ga.), but another pivotal error in the eighth inning helped solidify the 2-1 decision in the Faulkner/AUM softball Invitational here at Wynn Field.

Freed-Hardeman (1-3) struck first in the third inning before Faulkner walked in a run in the fourth. The Lady Lions continued to capitalize on the bases-loaded situation with an RBI single to take a 3-0 lead.

Jessica Butterworth's sacrifice fly finally put the Lady Eagles on the board in the fifth inning and the a pair of RBI singles courtesy of Emily Byrd and Amanda Seales in the sixth moved the event into a 3-3 tie.

The scoring knot remained tight until the ninth inning when Freed-Hardeman made good on four Faulkner errors while producing a pair of quality hits to push the cushion to 8-3. 

Butterworth took a chip out of that margin with an RBI single in the home team's final trip to the plate, but there wasn't enough offensive fuel in the tank to offset the sizable deficit.

Point (11-5) also took advantage of loaded bases and inched into 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning of the second contest.

Faulkner tied the game in the third inning, however, on a fielder's choice play and the gridlock held through regulation.

The Skyhawks executed a squeeze effort that unraveled alongside another Faulkner fielding error in the eighth inning that gave the visitors the lead and eventual win.

Hayden Strickland (0-2) gave up 11 hits and four earned runs while logging two strikeouts over 8 2/3 innings over work in the loss to Freed-Hardeman.

Emma Cornell entered the game and secured the final out. 

Caitlin Perry (1-2) scattered seven hits over eight innings and allowed a single earned run while striking out five batters in the Point loss.

"I thought the pitchers did a good job of keeping us in the games today," head coach Hal Wynn told his team after the second game, "but we had too may critical errors and we didn't get hits when we needed them. We did have some good bunts, but we didn't execute well after them."

Top performers at the plate for the home squad included Butterworth and Byrd who led the the way with three hits and a run each, while adding two and one RBI, respectively.

Hannah Qualls went 2-for-4 and Seales produced a hit, run and RBI in the opener.

Faulkner dropped to 2-4 overall and well next host Talladega College in doubleheader action at Wynn Field beginning at 1 p.m. on Tuesday.