PULASKI, Tenn. – Entering the squad's final homestand of 2014, the Martin Methodist Softball team delivered one of its strongest performances of the season with a pair of victories over Southern Wesleyan (S.C.) University Friday afternoon at the East Campus.
Seeking separation in the crowded SSAC East Division, the RedHawks (25-21, 13-9 SSAC) hung on for a 6-5 victory in Friday's opener, but exploded for a 10-1 victory in six innings in the nightcap.
Leading 6-1 entering the bottom of the sixth, the RedHawks exploded for four runs in the frame to claim the run-rule shortened victory over the Warriors (17-24, 6-14). Samantha Wilson capped the offensive onslaught for the RedHawks with a two-out homer over the left field wall that smacked into the side of the adjacent Indoor Practice Facility.
The smash marked Wilson's sixth round trip of the season and improved the junior to a team-best 46 runs batted in on the year. The hit also capped a strong performance from the RedHawks top half of the lineup as the top six hitters combined for eight of the squad's nine hits in the win.
Nikki Hodges (1-for-3) and Kate Lambert (2-for-3) drove in two runs apiece to help lift the RedHawks to their season-best fifth consecutive victory and, at least temporarily, sole possession of second place in the SSAC East.
Chandler Lacy (2-1) allowed nine hits but just one run in 4.2 innings of work to pick up her first ever victory at the East Campus. The freshman also received solid work in the field as shortstop Dharianna Familia and second Morgan May linked up on two 6-4-3 double plays to help thwart potential Warrior rallies.
With two down in the fifth, Lacy gave way to sophomore Emily Robb, who retired all four batters faced to record her third save of the year.
The win allowed the RedHawks to notch their second consecutive and fourth overall conference doubleheader sweep as the RedHawks hung on for the one-run victory in Friday's opener.
Like the second game, the RedHawk opener was decided via a homer as Alley Benefield launched a shot to deep left in a tie ballgame that gave the RedHawks their one-run advantage.
After the RedHawks jumped ahead 5-2 after one inning, the Warriors rallied with a trio of runs in the top of the fourth to draw level at 5-5. The teams remained deadlocked through five-and-a-half innings before Benefield led off the bottom of the sixth with her eighth dinger of the year.
Caroline Ezell (9-9), who will be one of two RedHawk seniors honored during Saturday afternoon's Senior Day doubleheader against Emmanuel (Ga.) College, allowed nine hits and four earned runs but struck out four Warriors in six innings of work to nab the victory.
Familia made her first appearance of the season in relief of Ezell in the seventh and nailed down the game's final three outs for her first career save.
With the wins, the RedHawks will now look to continue their conference winning streak, which currently stands at five games.
The RedHawks will look to add two more victories Saturday against the Lady Lions (6-28, 2-16) in a return matchup of a doubleheader played last month. The RedHawks took both games in the first meetings between the two clubs.
First pitch in Saturday's showdown is set for 2 p.m. with Senior Day festivities set to take place in between Saturday's doubleheader.
