FRANKLIN SPRINGS, Ga. – In its first weekend of conference play in the Southern States Athletic Conference, the Martin Methodist Softball team notched three victories, including a sweep at Emmanuel (Ga.) College Saturday afternoon.
In the first game of the day, the RedHawks slugged out 11 hits and Alley Benefield blasted a three-run homer as the RedHawks claimed a 10-6 victory over the Lions.
After falling behind 4-1 in the bottom of the first, the RedHawks added a pair of runs in the second to pull within striking distance before exploding for five runs in the top of the fourth.
After the RedHawks loaded up the bases with one out, Nikki Hodges singled to left and pulled the RedHawks within a single run of the Lions. Samantha Wilson tied the ballgame for the RedHawks on the ensuing at-bat with a sacrifice fly to deep center.
That set the stage for Benefield, who broke the game open with her two-out, three-run shot to deep center to put the RedHawks ahead 8-4 and gave them a lead they would not relinquish.
In fact, the RedHawk would add a pair of insurance runs in the top of the seventh on a two-out, two-RBI double to deep left-center to push the lead to 10-4.
The runs proved vital as the Lions scored a pair of their own in the bottom half of the frame, but the deficit was too much to overcome as the RedHawks were able to secure the victory.
Caroline Ezell (6-4) scattered 10 hits and allowed just one earned run to record the victory on the mound for the RedHawks.
Leah Ritchhart (1-8) allowed 11 hits and 10 runs – eight of which were earned – in the loss for the Lions.
Martin Methodist 7, Emmanuel (Ga.) College 5:
In the second game, the RedHawks had to again battle their way from behind as the Lions opened a 5-2 lead through three innings.
But, slowly but surely, the RedHawks chipped away as they added a pair of runs in the top of the fourth and then again in the fifth to take a 6-5 lead and ultimately secure the two-run victory.
Despite being outhit 13-10 by the Lions, the RedHawks used their hits in timely fashion as four of the club's 10 hits were in the fourth and fifth innings as the RedHawks staged their comeback.
Samantha Wilson and Alley Benefield recorded a pair of hits each for the RedHawks with Benefield driving in three of the team's seven RBIs. Dharianna Familia, Courtney Grooms and Morgan May also drove in runs in the victory.
Chandler Lacy (1-1) allowed 13 hits and five runs, but was able to hang tough on the mound in seven innings of work to notch her first career victory.
Kaitlyn Lawerence (1-6) allowed six runs in 4.1 innings of work in the defeat.
With the wins, the RedHawks won their third consecutive games, matching the longest win streak since the club started the year on a six-game winning streak.
