PULASKI, Tenn. – After seeing its last five games postponed due to freezing temperatures and thunderstorms, Martin Methodist finally took the diamond for the first time in March, taking the first two games of a four-game series against Asbury (Ky.) College Friday afternoon at the East Campus Baseball Park.
In the opener, Blake Beavers turned in a second consecutive dominating start as the freshman struck out seven as part of a three-hit, three-run effort in a 10-3 RedHawk victory.
Despite plunking three batters and issuing a pair of walks, Beavers was overpowering on the mound, allowing just one run until the top of the seventh inning, before issuing a pair of runs – his only earned runs allowed in seven innings of work.
In the nightcap, the RedHawks (13-7) fell behind early but used a fifth-inning rally to scratch out a 2-1 win over the Eagles and secure the twinbill sweep.
After surrendering a run in the top of the third, the RedHawks began their rally two-and-a-half innings later after Zach Bailey blooped a single to shallow left-center that put pinch runner Davey Smitherman in scoring position with one out. On the ensuing at-bat, Clint Gobbell slapped a single into shallow right field that plated the game's tying run and sent Bailey to third base.
On the very first pitch of the next at-bat, Eagles starter Zach Settle balked to bring in the eventual game-winning run for the RedHawks.
The one-run lead was in doubt, however, after RedHawk starter Jake Shadix started the sixth inning off with a hit batsman and a walk. Shadix would notch a strikeout on his next at-bat before giving way to reliever Dalton Goss, who nailed down the save with a perfect final five outs, three of which were strikeouts.
On the afternoon, the RedHawks combined for 14 hits – 9 of which came in the first victory.
Rob Holley and Matt Thomas combined for 3-RBI efforts in the first game, highlighted by Thomas' 3-run blast to deep left in the bottom of the second. The two were held hitless in the nightcap, however. The 0-for-3 effort from Thomas brought an end to the second baseman's 15-game hit streak.
Clint Gobbell and Charles Hill also finished the afternoon with multi-hit performances, notching 3-for-5 efforts at the plate.
Across the two games, the Eagles (4-19) finished with just seven hits.
The two teams will return to action Saturday afternoon for another twinbill. First pitch in Saturday's opening game is set for 12 p.m. at the East Campus.
