MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Eighteenth-ranked Faulkner (37-8, 13-7 SSAC) rallied late in Game 1 of this afternoon's Southern States Athletic Conference doubleheader against No. 12 William Carey (35-8, 14-6 SSAC) to secure the 2-1 victory before the Lady Eagle bats exploded in the nightcap, generating an 9-1 blowout in five innings here at Wynn Field.

The visitors slipped into a one-run lead on a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning of Game 1, but Maggie Tipton came through for the Lady Eagles in the sixth inning with more late-game heroics. The sophomore catcher blasted a two-run homer to left field catapulting Faulkner into the lead and eventual win. Tipton also had the walk-off single in the 10th inning of Game 1 against No. 7 Mobile yesterday.

The Crusaders managed to load the bases with no outs in tow in the seventh inning, but closer Caitlin Perry quickly found her rhythm, striking out three straight batters solidifying the win while tallying the save.

Tori Davis (6-1) allowed one earned run on eight hits over six innings of work earning the victory from the circle.

Abbigail Barron was 2-for-3.

WCU logged a run on a bases-loaded walk in the first inning of the second showdown, but Caity Jo Lee responded with a twin-RBI double in the subsequent at-bat slingshotting the home team in front by a run.

Kendall Bennett and Julianne Wilkes each added to the advantage with one-run singles just moments later.

Hannahlee Harris and Shelby Brown each offered up RBI singles in the third inning while Lee delivered another two-run dink to shallow left field before the frame expired.

Tara Ammons put the outing to rest with a game-ending double in the fifth.

Lee was 3-for-3 with four RBIs and a run in the second event.

Nicole Morrison was 2-for-3 and scored.

Emma Cornell (15-4) struck out four batters and surrendered no earned runs while giving up just three hits in a shutout effort spanning five innings.

Faulkner will close out the home season against SSAC foe Martin Methodist (Tenn.) in doubleheader action beginning at 3 p.m. on Tuesday. The teams split the previous series.

From left: seniors Alicia Richardson, Maegan Stanfield, Shelby Brown, Tori Davis, Emma Cornell and Hannahlee Harris were honored before the series this afternoon