GULF SHORES, Ala. – Thomas University lost, 2-1, to Faulkner University in the final game of the Gulf Coast Invitational Sunday morning. 

The Night Hawks were 3-2 in the tournament, defeating No. 8 Lindsey Wilson, No. 12 Campbellsville and Louisiana State University Alexandria, and losing to Central Methodist and Faulkner. 

Thomas is now 12-3 on the season and received votes in the NAIA Softball Coaches' Top 25 Preseason Poll. Faulkner was unranked in the polls, but is 12-1 on the season. 

After five scoreless innings, Thomas plated one run in the sixth, but Faulkner answered with one in the seventh and one in the eighth to take the victory, despite making four errors. 

Kelsey Connelly connected on a pair of hits, including a double, while Victoria Camina also hit a double for the Night Hawks. Pitcher Margarita Sena took the loss, striking out three, but walking three and allowing two runs on five hits in 7.2 innings pitched. 

In the sixth, Kait Stoltz reached on an error, stole second and scored as Gaby Mora also reached on an error. 

Faulkner connected on three hits to score one run in the seventh. 

In the eighth, an Eagle was placed on second to start the inning. A failed pickoff attempt allowed her to advance to third, then scored on a fielder's choice. 

Thomas returns to Armory Field on Feb. 6 to face No. 14 Reinhardt (Ga.) in a doubleheader. First pitch is at 2 p.m.