COLUMBIA, Ky. – The Martin Methodist Baseball team split a pair of games against two non-conferences foes, defeating No. 22 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) College 8-4 and falling 6-5 to Point (Mo.) University at Egnew Park Friday afternoon.
In the nightcap, the RedHawks (26-14) fell behind 2-1 through five full innings, before turning the game on its head with one swing of the bat.
After Erick Bonifacio drew a two-out walk to load the bases, it appeared as if the Blue Raiders (32-15) might escape the frame unscathed.
Nick Flanagan, however, had other plans as he took a 2-0 pitch over the fence in deep center field to give the RedHawks a 5-2 advantage. The RedHawks added an extra run in the frame when Charles Hill singled and then came in to score on an RBI double from catcher Caleb Lindsey to take a 6-2 lead into the bottom of the sixth.
After escaping a jam in the sixth, the RedHawks put another pair of insurance runs on the board in the seventh when Clint Gobbell singled and advanced to third on Matt Thomas' one-out double. The Blue Raiders intentionally walked cleanup hitter Evan Fergerson, but Erick Bonifacio drove a two-RBI single to right field to add the pair of runs.
The runs would prove vital as the RedHawks allowed a pair of runs in the bottom half of the frame before hanging on for the road upset.
As a team, the RedHawks cranked out eight hits to match their eight runs scored – none bigger than Flanagan's second grand slam of the season, which was the senior's lone hit of the ballgame.
Bonifacio and backup catcher Caleb Lindsey notched a hit apiece, but both hits plated a pair of RBIs for the duo.
The run support backed up a strong performance on the mound for Clay Brown (4-3), who scattered seven hits, struck out five allowed just four runs over six innings. Brown allowed two of his four runs in the bottom of the seventh, before giving way to reliever Dalton Goss with no outs in the frame. Goss nailed down the final three outs to end the Blue Raider rally and secure the victory.
With the win, the RedHawks improved to 4-1 on the year against ranked opponents. The RedHawks will meet Lindsey Wilson again Saturday afternoon for a single game at 2:30 p.m. to close out the weekend series.
Point (Mo.) University 6, Martin Methodist 5:
In the opener, the RedHawks saw a 4-2 lead evaporate midway through the ballgame and nearly rallied for a comeback, but ultimately fell short in the 6-5 loss to the Skyhawks.
After scoring a pair of runs in the first inning, the RedHawks took a 4-2 lead in the top of the fourth, capitalizing on timely hitting and a Skyhawk error to plate the go-ahead runs.
Unfortunately for the RedHawks, the lead would not last as the Skyhawks struck for four runs in the bottom of the fifth to re-take a 6-4 lead.
Entering the seventh, the RedHawks still had a chance to win the game, scoring a run after a one-out RBI double from Zach Bailey plated Charles Hill, who led off the inning with a bloop single up the middle. After Clint Gobbell's one-out walk, Rob Holley flew out to put the RedHawks down to their final out. Bailey and Gobbell would move into scoring position, however, after a wild pitch from pitcher Travis Tarleton. Matt Thomas struck out swinging on the ensuing at-bat, however, lifting the Skyhawks to the one-run victory.
As a team, the RedHawks tallied six hits in the losing effort, two of which came from Bailey as part of a 2-for-3 night at the plate. The junior was the lone RedHawk to register multiple hits in the loss. Evan Fergerson and Ray drove in the only other RedHawk RBIs on the afternoon.
Blake Beavers (6-3) suffered the loss on the mound, lasting 4.1 innings and surrendering all six runs to the Skyhawks – all of which were earned. Justice Conner pitched 1.2 innings of near-perfect relief work to round out the innings on the mound for the RedHawks.
