Faulkner will play for a split Friday after dropping a pair of low-scoring conference games at Blue Mountain Thursday night.

BLUE MOUNTAIN 1, FAULKNER 0

The Lady Toppers came out on the better end of an old-fashioned pitcher's duel in the series opener. Darby Bishop drove in Meghan Maness in the bottom of the first inning for the 1-0 Blue Mountain lead. That proved enough for Montanna Smith, who was little short of sensational. She limited the Lady Eagles to two hits while walking four batters in a complete game shutout.

Caitlin Perry (SR/Montgomery, Ala.) was almost as good. The Lady Eagles' lone senior struck out six batters over six innings of work while scattering three hits and walking two.

The only Faulkner hits of the game came in the form of singles from Abbigail Barron (JR/Panama City, Fla.) and Ashton Fielding (JR/Rockford, Ala.).

BLUE MOUNTAIN 4, FAULKNER 2

Faulkner fared little better in the nightcap as they amassed nine hits and four walks but plated only two runs in the loss. The Lady Toppers scored three runs in the bottom of the first and another in the third to account for all of its offense. Faulkner scratched out one in the second and another in the fourth. Bailey Whitfield (FR/Alabaster, Ala.) came on in relief and worked five and two-third innings while surrendering four hits and one unearned run. She also went 1-for-2 at the plate in her first career collegiate at-bats.

Caity Jo Lee (SO/Wetumpka, Ala.) and Taylor Parker (JR/Corner, Ala.) accounted for the Faulkner RBIs while Abby Tindol (FR/Billingsley, Ala.) scored both Lady Eagle runs. Parker, Shelbie Burbage (SO/Prattville, Ala.) and Courtney Ray (JR/Montgomery, Ala.) had two hits apiece for the Lady Eagles.

The teams resume play Friday at 1 p.m. for a doubleheader that will wrap the season series.