Faulkner took the lead in the third and broke the game open in the sixth on the way to a 5-1 victory over Bethel on the first day of the SSAC Softball Championship.

Shelbie Burbage drew a leadoff walk in the third and scored on a Kendall Bennett single to put the Lady Eagles up 1-0. The score stayed there until the sixth. Burbage stroked a two-out double and advanced on Taylor Parker's single. An error on the ensuing play allowed Burbage to score to move the lead to 2-0. Bennett later doubled in Parker and Abby Tindol for the 4-0 lead. Ashton Fielding followed with a double to plate Bennett for the 5-0 advantage.

Morgan Hunt singled for Bethel in the bottom of the sixth  and scored on an error to cut it to 5-1.

Caitlin Perry was little short of dominant for Faulkner, scattering two hits and one unearned run while not issuing a walk and striking out five.

Faulkner returns to action Friday when it faces top-seeded Mobile at noon.