PULASKI, Tenn. – Playing against some of the premier competition in the NAIA, the Martin Methodist Softball Team recently wrapped up its annual Spring Break Trip with six games at the Gulf Coast Invitational in Gulf Shores, Ala.

While on the road, the RedHawks (11-11) played five teams that are either currently ranked or receiving votes in the NAIA's Top 25. And while the RedHawks picked up just two wins, the experience gained while competing amongst some of the NAIA's elite could pay huge dividends later this season.

The RedHawks kicked off their tournament with a 4-3 defeat to No. 11 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) College on Friday, March 7. Emily Robb allowed 11 hits but just four runs in the defeat on the mound. Kate Lambert was the offensive star in the loss with a 2-RBI single in a 1-for-3 performance.

Later that afternoon, the RedHawks picked up their first win of the tournament in a 7-4 victory against old conference rival Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) University. Alley Benefield and Nikki Hodges combined for all five RedHawk RBIs with Benefield blasting a three-run homer. The RedHawks added two more runs thanks to three Lion errors. Caroline Ezell pitched a complete game, scattering nine hits and allowing just three earned runs in the victory on the mound.

On Saturday, the RedHawks would face two of their toughest foes of the season in No. 5 Reinhardt (Ga.) University and LSU-Alexandria.

And while LSU-Alexandria was not in the Top 25 at the time of play, the club boasted an impressive 19-1 overall record when meeting the RedHawks Saturday afternoon.

After taking a 6-2 lead, the RedHawks could not close the contest as LSU-Alexandria came back to take a 10-7 victory. After scoring a single run in the first inning, the RedHawks exploded for five more in the top of the 4th to open up a four-run advantage. The lead would not stand, however, as LSU-Alexandria struck for seven in the bottom of the fourth to take a 9-6 advantage and eventually claim the 10-7 victory. Dharianna Familia and Alley Benefield both recorded two hits in the ballgame for the RedHawks, who had nine hits as a team. Emily Robb was chased after just three innings in the loss on the mound for the RedHawks, giving way to Chandler Lacy who finished the ballgame.

In Saturday's nightcap, the RedHawks took on No. 5 Reinhardt (Ga.) University for the second time this season, suffering a 7-3 defeat. For the second consecutive game, the RedHawks held a lead after a big inning only to see their opponents respond with an even bigger output in the bottom of the frame. After scoring three in the top of the sixth to take a 3-1 lead, the RedHawks allowed the Eagles to score five in the bottom of the inning and ultimately take the victory. Nikki Hodges, Morgan May and Caroline Ezell claimed the RBIs for the RedHawks, who had just six hits. Ezell suffered the loss on the mound for the RedHawks, allowing 13 hits in six innings of work. Just two of the senior's runs were earned, however, as the RedHawks committed a season-high seven errors.

On their final day of play, the RedHawks started off on a good note with a 4-3 victory over Embry-Riddle (Fla.) Aeronautical University. After falling behind early, the RedHawks began to chip away at the deficit and finally tied the ballgame with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth. Deadlocked at 3-3, the RedHawks picked up the game-winning run in the top of the seventh on a two-out, RBI single from Courtney Grooms. Five of the RedHawks top six hitters recorded a hit on the day, with Morgan May posting an impressive 3-for-3 performance. Grooms finished the afternoon 2-for-4, including her seventh-inning at bat to secure the victory. Emily Robb tossed seven innings of work on the mound for the RedHawks, scattering seven hits and allowing just three runs in the win.

In their final contest, the RedHawks again met No. 5 Reinhardt (Ga.) University and suffered a 5-2 defeat. The RedHawks fell behind early in the contest, allowing three runs in the bottom of the first and another in the bottom of the third. The RedHawks added a pair of runs in the top of the fourth, but it proved too little too late as the Eagles seized the three-run victory. Dana Winfrey and Megan Anderson drove in the runs for the RedHawks, who had eight hits but left nine runners left on base. Ana Davila allowed four runs in four innings in the losing effort before giving way to Caroline Ezell, who finished the ballgame with two innings of relief work.

The RedHawks return to action Tuesday afternoon when they travel to Henderson, Tenn. to take on Freed-Hardeman University in a non-conference doubleheader. First pitch In Tuesday's contest is set for 5 p.m.