Lady Royals Take Game Two of NFCA Classic with 4-2 Win Over Faulkner

The Lady Royals softball team closed out day one of the NFCA Classic with another strong performance, defeating Faulkner (Ala.), 4-2, in game two of four scheduled contests in the tournament.

The Lady Royals combined timely hitting with a dominant outing in the circle to secure their second win of the day.

Faulkner struck first with a solo home run in the top of the first inning, but Johnson quickly responded. Dylan Jablonski tied the game with an RBI groundout before Autumn Caywood gave the Lady Royals the lead with an RBI single later in the inning to make it 2-1.

Johnson added insurance runs in the middle innings to build separation. Reese Burns drove in Kadie Presley with an RBI single in the fourth inning, and Caywood delivered again in the fifth with an RBI double to extend the lead to 4-1.

Faulkner pushed across a run in the sixth, but the Lady Royals' defense held firm down the stretch to preserve the victory.

Caywood led Johnson offensively, finishing 2-for-3 with two RBIs, while Burns added two hits and an RBI. Jablonski also recorded an RBI, and Presley contributed a hit and a run scored.

In the circle, Alyssa Nicely turned in a dominant performance, pitching a complete game while allowing just two hits and two runs. Nicely struck out 13 batters over seven innings to earn the win and keep Faulkner's offense in check throughout the night.

With the victory, the Lady Royals move to 2-0 to open play at the NFCA Classic and will continue tournament action with two more games remaining.