PULASKI, Tenn. – Martin Methodist pulled in front early and hung on late in a 13-9 win over Talldega (Ala.) College on Day Two of the TranSouth/Gulf Coast Unaffiliated Group Tournament at the East Campus Ballpark Wednesday night.
Playing as the designated visitors, the RedHawks (35-16) worked their way to an impressive 11-2 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh inning against the Tornadoes (33-23).
That's when things got interesting as the regular-season Gulf Coast champs scored the game's next seven runs – five of which came in the bottom of the eighth to put a brief scare in the RedHawks.
In the ninth, however, Erick Bonifacio poked a clutch two-out, two-run single through the right side of the infield to add insurance runs that allowed the RedHawk bullpen to breathe a sigh of relief.
After all was said and done, Blake Beavers (8-3) remained the winning pitcher, lasting 6.2 innings and scattering four hits and four runs. Jake Shadix allowed four of the five runs in the eight and Dalton Goss allowed the final Tornado run of the ballgame. The duo gave way to Clay Brown, who worked a nears-spotless ninth to close out the scare for the RedHawks.
At the plate, the RedHawks cranked out 17 hits – the most in a game since notching 17 in their home opener against Rust College on Feb. 5.
A total of six RedHawks finished with multi-hit performances, including a trio of hits for Rob Holley, Erick Bonifacio, and Matt Thomas – who returned to the lineup after sitting out Tuesday's win over Edward Waters (Fla.) College with a lower body injury.
The RedHawks also capitalized on four Tornado errors, which led to just 10 of the club's 13 runs being earned against a Tornado pitcher.
With the win, the RedHawks improved to 2-0 on the tournament and drew a date with Bethel (Tenn.) University, which staged a late-inning rally of its own to eliminate Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) University in a 10-9 ballgame Wednesday afternoon.
The winner of Thursday's matchup between the RedHawks and Wildcats (28-13) will advance to Friday's championship game, while the loser will play an elimination game Thursday night.
First pitch in Thursday's game is set for Noon at the East Campus Ballpark.
