PULASKI, Tenn. – In a midweek contest that had the feel of a big weekend conference series, the Martin Methodist team rallied from two runs down to continue its best start in the program's modern era in a 6-4 victory over Bryan (Tenn.) College Tuesday afternoon at the East Campus.
In a matchup of two unbeaten clubs, the RedHawks (8-0) took a first-inning lead, but saw the Lions (7-1) even the contest in the fourth and then take a 3-1 lead with two runs in the top of the sixth.
That's when the RedHawks capitalized on a Lion miscue and recapture the momentum and re-take the lead for good.
After Caleb Lindsey led off the inning with a double to left-center, courtesy runner Alex McKelvy was sacrificed to third and came in to score on a groundout from Caleb Patterson. After Zach Bailey and Blake Truett reached via a two-out hit and walk, it appeared as if they inning was over when Brodie Jeffery grounded out to first base. But after a conference, Jeffery was awarded first base due to catcher interference. One batter later, Seth Staggs cleared the bases with a triple down the right-field line to give the RedHawks a dramatic four-run sixth inning.
The RedHawks added an insurance run one inning later when Truett stroked a single back up the middle to plate McKelvy and push the lead up to 6-3.
The run proved crucial as the Lions added a run of their own in the ninth and forced the RedHawks to insert reliever David Collins to collect the game's final out.
Both clubs notched 11 hits and the RedHawks left 14 runners stranded, but timely hitting in the sixth allowed the club to continue its fastest start to a season in over a year.
Staggs led the RedHawks with four RBIs in a 2-for-5 effort at the plate. Truett (2-for-4), Lindsey (2-for-4) and Austin Schubert (2-for-5) also had multiple hits on the afternoon. Truett and McKelvy both came around to score two runs apiece for the RedHawks on the afternoon.
Morgan Wilson, who entered with one out and the bases loaded in the fifth and did not allow a run, tossed two solid innings in relief of starter Jake Shadix to collect his second win (2-0) of the season. Owen Blackwelder replaced Wilson in the seventh and was in line for a three-inning save before giving way to Collins, who notched a game-ending fielder's choice to collect the first save of his RedHawk career.
The win continued a fast start to the season for the RedHawks, who dive into Southern States Athletic Conference play this week. The RedHawks open their 2015 conference slate on Thursday when they travel to Loyola (La.) University. The RedHawks and Wolf Pack (6-2) will play two games on Thursday before closing the series with a single contest Friday.
First pitch in Thursday's doubleheader is set for 4 p.m. in New Orleans.
