Katie Faulk says she isn't swinging for the fences and admittedly isn't too fond of slamming into them, either.

The super soph cleared the left-field fence for a three-run home run in Nixa's 10-3 triumph over Branson on Wednesday. The long-awaited victory halted the Lady Eagles' losing streak at seven games.

Faulk has three home runs in Nixa's last seven games. It's been a surprising stretch to her.

"I don't consider myself a power hitter," she said. "If it happens, it happens. I'm just trying to get on base."

Faulk's power surge has coincided with a hot bat overall. She's 10-of-24 over the Lady Eagles' last seven games, including 3-for-4 against Branson, upping her batting average to .409.

"I think I'm seeing the ball really well and my timing is good, a lot better than normal," Faulk said. "My home run today felt very smooth, almost like I didn't even try."

Coach Matt Walker also doesn't label his lead-off hitter a home run hitter. He noted her homer Wednesday wasn't a high, arching shot.

"I'd like to think of her more of a line drive gap to gap hitter," Walker said. "But she has some pop. Her home run was a line drive. It probably didn't even get 30 feet off the ground."

Faulk gave Nixa (5-10 overall and 2-3 in the COC) a 4-0 lead in the second inning.

Branson's comeback bid included a solo home run by Chloe Grimm in the fourth that cut the Lady Eagles' lead to 4-3. The homer sailed over the center-field fence by inches and just out of the reach of Faulk's glove.

"Oh shoot, here comes the fence," Faulk said, recalling her reaction to the homer. "I was pretty close to it. But it gets a little scary when you hit the fence. I'll get one of those catches this season."

For the full recap, click here.