MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Sixth-seeded Faulkner fell behind by a handful twice in today's showdown against No. 12 and third-seeded Martin Methodist in the opening round of the Southern States Athletic Conference tournament here at Fain Park. The Lady Eagles ignited in the seventh inning while facing a four-run deficit, but came up a run shy of re-tying the contest in the 7-6 loss.

Faulkner wasted little time in getting things going offensively and took a 1-0 lead in its first trip to the plate on a single from Sophie Slemp.

That edge was short-lived as the RedHawks (44-12) moved into a slight lead in the ensuing at-bat on two hits and a pair of costly Lady Eagle errors before adding another run in the second inning to gain a 3-1 advantage.

Faulkner fired back in the fourth, however, to push the event into a tie. Jessica Butterworth sparked the offense with a ground rule double over the fence at left-center field and Holli Brooks brought her home with a double of her own. Hannah Qualls then delivered an RBI single up the middle to even the playing field at 3-3.

After a brief offensive lull, the RedHawks produced three hits and capitalized once again on a Lady Eagle error in the third to claim a 6-3 lead before extending the cushion by an additional score in the fifth.

With a commanding lead in place Martin Methodist made a pitching change heading into the decisive seventh inning. Brittany Bishop, who'd allowed seven hits and three earned runs through six innings, was replaced by Emily Robb and Faulkner nearly turned the decision into regret.

Three straight Lady Eagles reached base behind two hits and a fielding error, giving first-team all-conference selection Butterworth plenty to work with. The senior rolled a shot off the tip of the bat which allowed one run to score while she was tagged out on her way to first base.

Another infield error allowed a second run to score and Holli Brook's sacrifice fly pulled the team within a run, but the momentum stopped there.

Martin Methodist secured its fourth one-run victory over Faulkner in five wins this season.

Robb allowed three hits and an earned run in the inning.

Caitlin Perry (8-8) scattered 10 hits over five innings and gave up three earned runs in the loss. 

Hayden Strickland tossed the one-hit sixth for the Lady Eagles.

Hannahlee Harris was 3-for-4 and scored twice while Brooks end 1-for-2 with a pair of RBIs and a run.

Qualls was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Butterworth logged a hit, RBI and run and Slemp knocked in a pair of runners and offered up a single.

Amanda Seales booked a hit and run and Makenzie Anthony scored.

"Great effort," head coach Hal Wynn told his team after the game. "I've seen many a team die in the seventh inning when down like that. You made it exciting and you did a great job. Our pitchers also did a great job today. They only gave up three earned runs. We offered run support, but we've got to do a better job getting behind them defensively."

Faulkner (21-22) now finds itself in unwelcome, but all-too-familiar territory. The Lady Eagles will now battle for their season in elimination bracket play beginning tomorrow. Faulkner was in the same position last season and ignited a four-game winning streak that landed the team in its first-ever semifinal appearance and within a win of making the national tournament. If any team knows what it will take to fight through desperate opposition, it's this one. The Lady Eagles will try to mirror that performance with what could turn into a three-game Friday. Faulkner kicks things off against Blue Mountain at 10 a.m. The Toppers swept Faulkner in the only regular season series.