GULF SHORES, Ala. - Faulkner struck early and often in its 9-1, six-inning victory over Reinhardt (Ga.) before coming up short 4-2 against No. 23 Lindenwood-Belleview here on the opening day of the annual Gulf Coast Invitational hosted by the University of Mobile.

Hannah Qualls put the Lady Eagles on the board with an RBI single to right field in the first inning against Reinhardt (8-5).

A double to center field generated a run for Reinhardt that same inning, but its offensive threat ended there.

Faulkner dropped anchor with a five-run third inning sparked by Jessica Butterworth's run on a wild throw to first base.

Emily Byrd extended the lead with an RBI single through the hole a shortstop and a fielding error at second base allowed another run to score. Hannahlee Harris caped the third-inning scoring spree with a two-RBI triple.

Byrd also drove in Faulkner's final run of the game on an single to left-center field in the fifth.

The Lady Eagles started the Lindenwood-Belleview (5-3) event in similar fashion when Holli Brooks offered up a two-RBI triple in the first inning.

The Lady Lynx answered with an RBI single to right field in the ensuing at bat, however, and catapulted into the lead with a two-RBI single in the second. The final run of the outing came on the heels of another single to center in the fifth inning.

Emma Cornell (2-0) scattered five hits over six innings and allowed just a single earned run while logging three strikeouts in her second win over Reinhardt this season.

Caitlin Perry (1-2) gave up eight hits and three earned runs while also tallying three strikeouts in six innings of work in the Lindenwood-Belleview loss.

Makenzie Anthony was consistent through both outings going 4-for-7 on the day and scoring twice.

Qualls was 2-for-2 with a pair of RBIs and a run against Reinhardt.

Harris and Byrd were both 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs and a run in the opener.

Brooks knocked in a run against Reinhardt before going 2-for-3 with both RBIs against the Lady Lynx.

Faulkner (3-5) resumes play in the Invitational against Concordia (Mich.) on Saturday at 3 p.m. before concluding pool play against St. Thomas (Fla.) at 7.