PULASKI, Tenn. – After taking big leads early, the Martin Methodist Baseball team hung on in its two series-opening victories over Loyola (La.) University at the East Campus Baseball Complex Friday afternoon.

Leading by 11 runs in the opener, the RedHawks (20-12, 12-8 SSAC) saw their lead whittled down to just two after the Wolf Pack (20-21, 7-13) scored nine runs in the fifth and sixth innings. Ultimately, the lead proved just enough for the RedHawks as they claimed a 12-10 win to open the seven-inning contest.

It was a similar script in the nightcap for the RedHawks, who took a 6-0 lead into the top of the eighth inning, only to see the Wolf Pack score four runs and again pull within two runs. And, like the opener, the RedHawks were able to make just enough plays to slip out with their second victory of the day.

With the wins, the RedHawks ensured a victory in the three-game series, the fifth conference series that the RedHawks have notched this season in seven tries. The wins also gave the RedHawks a season-high four game win streak – the longest current streak in the Southern States Athletic Conference.

The RedHawks return to action Saturday afternoon when they close out the three-game set against the Wolf Pack at 1 p.m. at the East Campus.

Zack Brewer (3-0, 3.16 ERA) is expected to get the nod on the mound for the RedHawks. Daniel Posway (3-4, 3.33) is likely to get the start for the Wolf Pack.

Martin Methodist 6, Loyola 4:

In the second contest of the day, the RedHawks began their offensive attack early, manufacturing a run in the game's first inning.

Clint Gobbell led off the game with a single back up the middle, advanced to second with a two-out steal and then came in to score on an error by Wolf Pack shortstop Harold Toscano.

The RedHawks added more two-out runs in the second when Gobbell cleared the bases with a triple to deep right field. Chase Denton and Austin Long (courtesy running for catcher Caleb Lindsey) came in to score to push the lead to 3-0.

Martin Methodist scored its final runs of the ballgame in the sixth. Evan Fergerson and Seth Staggs led off the frame with back-to-back walks and then moved into scoring position on a sacrifice fly to deep right. Denton singled Fergerson home with a one-out single to left-center. Staggs advanced to third, but left the ballgame with an apparent injury. Brodie Jeffery replaced the junior and came in to score one batter later on Jimbo Ramsey's RBI double down the right field line. Denton scored the final run of the inning when Lindsey blooped a single just beyond the infield that the Wolf Pack struggled to retrieve.

The three insurance runs would prove vital as the RedHawks surrendered four runs in the top of the eighth and saw the lead dwindle to just two runs.

Despite the nervy moments, RedHawks skipper Kelly Bratton elected to leave starter Clay Brown on the mound and the move paid off as the sophomore snuck out of the inning with just the four runs surrendered.

Brown returned for one batter in the top of the ninth and got an immediate fly ball to Jett in right. Owen Blackwelder replaced Brown in a situational left-hander situation and got a three-pitch lineout to shortstop.

Finally, Dalton Goss came in to record the game's final out and notch his second save of the afternoon. The pair of saves gave the sophomore closer a career-high four on the season.

Brown (6-3) moved to within one win of his career best seven victories. Outside of the four runs in the eighth – only two of which were earned – the sophomore impressed, striking out seven batters for the second consecutive outing. Brown also punched out seven batters in the RedHawks victory at Bethel (Tenn.) University last Sunday.

Lindsey (3-for-4), Gobbell (2-for-4), Fergerson (2-for-3) and Ramsey (2-for-4) all notched multi-hit games in the victory, with Gobbell's two RBIs leading the way.

The RedHawks notched nine of their 11 hits off Wolf Pack starter Kevin Lindsey (4-6), who also allowed all six of the RedHawk runs in the loss on the mound.

Martin Methodist 12, Loyola 10 (7 Inning Game):

In one of the more bizarre games ever played at the East Campus, the RedHawks jumped out to a 12-1 lead over the Wolf Pack midway through the ballgame but had to hang on through some nervous moments to secure the two-run victory.

After Clint Gobbell led off the bottom of the first with a 333-foot homer to left-center, the RedHawks tacked on two more runs in the frame and then quickly added three more in the bottom of the second to take a commanding 6-0 lead. With two more runs in the bottom of the third, the RedHawks appeared well on their way to a victory, eventually opening up a 12-1 lead after four innings.

The Wolf Pack proved to be a pesky bunch, however, as they struck for five runs in a nightmare top of the fifth for the RedHawks. Still ahead by six runs, the RedHawks still had breathing room but saw their lead dwindle even further as the Wolf Pack added four more runs in the sixth to pull within two.

Luckily for the RedHawks, the 11-run comeback bid proved to be too much for the Wolf Pack, who were unable to catch up to the heat of RedHawk reliever Dalton Goss, who nailed down a four-out save to stop the rally.

Blake Beavers (5-4) picked up the win, but allowed 12 hits and nine runs on the mound. The sophomore issued just one walk, but the Wolf Pack began to find the holes in the infield and outfield as the game progressed.

Beavers gave way to Morgan Wilson, who faced five batters but recorded just one out in the top of the sixth.

Ultimately, Wilson handed the ball to Goss, who allowed a hit to lead off the seventh, but it proved to amount to nothing as the sophomore got a fly out, a ground out and a strikeout to end the ballgame.

Gobbell (2-for-3) and Chase Denton (1-for-2) recorded homers in the victory for the RedHawks, with Denton's solo blast marking the junior's first smash in a RedHawk uniform. Gobbell finished the game with three RBIs, the most the senior has recorded in a game this season since the season opener at Spring Hill (Ala.) College.

Blake Truett (3-for-5) and Jimbo Ramsey (2-for-4) notched multi-hit performances while Seth Staggs (1-for-2) added a pair of RBIs in the victory.