PULASKI, Tenn. – Less than 24 hours after a dramatic walkoff victory, the Martin Methodist Softball team struck for another thrilling finish as Kate Lambert launched a two-out bomb over the center field wall in an 8-6 victory over College of Coastal Georgia at the East Campus Sunday afternoon.
After seeing their six-run lead erased in the top of the sixth, the RedHawks (20-18, 8-6 SSAC) were faced with the possibility of seeing the game go to extra innings.
And, after two quick outs in the bottom of the seventh, that scenario was one out away from being realized but Megan Anderson looped a single into left field to extend the inning.
That set the stage for Lambert, who drove the first pitch of the at-bat just underneath the scoreboard in left-center and sent the RedHawk dugout into a frenzy.
Lambert's blast marked the 13th hit of the game for the RedHawks as seven players found their way into the hit column in the victory. Six of the seven RedHawks posted multi-hit games, including Lambert, who finished the afternoon 2-for-4 with three runs driven in.
Dharianna Familia, Alley Benefield, Dana Winfrey, Baylee Hammons and Anderson all notched two hits each in the win.
Emily Robb (9-8) allowed two hits and surrendered a run in just under two innings of relief to pick up the victory. Robb came on with the bases loaded in the sixth after starter Chandler Lacy had already allowed two runs in the frame.
The sixth was the lone blemish for Lacy, who had scattered seven hits but did not allow a single run in her previous five innings of work.
Stacey Ward (4-5) suffered the loss for the Mariners, allowing 13 hits but just three earned runs in 6.2 innings of work as the RedHawks capitalized on four Mariner errors in the victory.
The walkoff victory capped a two-game sweep for the RedHawks, who defeated the Mariners (11-16, 6-8) 12-4 in the opening game Sunday afternoon.
Benefield and Winfrey blasted solo homers while Samantha Wilson and Anderson drove in three runs apiece in the win. As a team, the RedHawks clubbed out 16 hits, including three in the bottom of the sixth that allowed the RedHawks to plate two runs and win the run-rule shortened contest.
Benefield, who also homered Saturday afternoon, continued her strong weekend as the junior went 7-for-12 in her four games with two homers and six RBIS.
Caroline Ezell (7-7) picked up the win on the mound, scattering six hits and allowing four runs in four innings of work. Robb relieved Ezell in the top of the fifth and allowed just two hits while recording the final six outs of the ballgame.
Dawn Stewart (2-4) gave up 12 of the RedHawks 16 hits and surrendered nine earned runs in the defeat.
With the victories, the RedHawks picked up their first conference sweep since taking two from Emmanuel (Ga.) College on March 15. The wins also moved the RedHawks into sole possession of second place in the SSAC's East Division.
The RedHawks return to action Tuesday afternoon when they travel to SSAC East leader Auburn-Montgomery. First pitch in Tuesday's doubleheader is set for 3 p.m. in Montgomery, Ala.
