BEAUFORT, S.C. - Faulkner (2-2) jumped out to a 2-0 lead early against host school USC-Beaufort (4-2) in Game 1 of the inaugural Southeastern Challenge here this afternoon before surrendering six straight runs in the 6-3 loss. The Lady Eagles then battled Thomas (Ga.) (6-2) where a four-run third inning proved too much for Faulkner to overcome in the 4-2 decision.

Kendal Bennet hit a sacrifice fly in the first inning of the opener before following up with a solo homer in the third to give the Lady Eagles a 2-0 lead against the Sand Sharks.

Two hits scattered among three Faulkner errors in the fourth inning allowed the home team tie the game, however, while a double and single generated four more runs for USC-Beaufort in the seventh.

Shelby Brown countered with an RBI single in the bottom of the seventh for the Lady Eagles, but the late Sand Shark damage was too much to overcome.

Caitlin Perry (1-1) held the circle for 5 1/3 innings and gave up four earned runs on nine hits while striking out four batters in the loss.

Hayden Strickland Oates booked the final two outs in the opener.

Another four-run inning fatally wounded Faulkner in the night cap as well.

A bases-loaded sac fly followed by a three-run bomb courtesy of Courtney Cifu was all the offense the Nighthawks needed to gain the win.

The Lady Eagles again responded to a tough blow, this time with RBI singles from Katie Goodson and Dakota Berry in the fourth inning, but there wasn't enough fire power left to move further out of the deficit.

Tori Davis (0-1) allowed three earned runs on nine hits in the loss.

Faulkner will face No. 16 Reinhardt (Ga.) tomorrow at 9 a.m. before taking on Bryan College (Tenn.) at 11:30. The three-day event concludes Saturday.