PULASKI, Tenn. – The Martin Methodist Softball team combined for 16 hits and 20 runs across two games as it swept Coastal Georgia in its 2016 SSAC opener at the East Campus Friday afternoon.
After a 9-0, five-inning victory in the opener, the RedHawks (17-6, 2-0 SSAC) rallied for an 11-6 victory in the second contest to complete the sweep.
Dharianna Familia accounted for seven of the RedHawks 17 runs batted in on the afternoon, four of which came in the form of a sixth inning grand slam that helped spur the RedHawks comeback over the Mariners (12-6, 0-2). The senior finished the day 3-of-6 at the plate and also notched a three-run triple in the first contest of the afternoon.
Brittany Bishop (8-3) picked up both victories in the circle for the RedHawks – one as a starter and the other in relief of Game 2 starter Ashton Edwards. Bishop did not allow a run in her 4.2 combined innings of work to lower her earned run average to a paltry 1.07 on the season.
With the wins, the RedHawks swept their SSAC opening games for the first time in program history.
The RedHawks will look to continue their winning ways on Saturday when they host Brewton-Parker (Ga.) at the East Campus. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
Martin Methodist 9, Coastal Georgia 0 – (5 Innings):
In the opener, the RedHawks exploded for seven runs in the bottom of the second and added two more in the fourth as they claimed a run-rule victory over the Mariners.
After a quiet first inning, the RedHawk bats came alive in the second as they plated seven runs – six of which came with two outs.
Nikki Hodges led off the frame with a double to deep left-center field and came in to score two batters later when Taylor Moore placed a one-out double in nearly the exact same location. Down to their final out of the inning, the RedHawks tacked on three more runs thanks to Dharianna Familia – who cleared the bases with a two-out triple down the right-field line. Hodges continued the offensive explosion for the RedHawks with her second double of the inning to plate Ashton Edwards.
In all, the RedHawks collected four hits in the frame and held a seven-run advantage after just two innings of play.
The runs would be more than enough for RedHawk starter Brittany Bishop, who allowed just four hits and issued just one walk in six innings of work. The senior allowed two hits in the top of the second and two more in the top of the fourth, but wiggled out of both potential jams to preserve the shutout.
Martin Methodist 11, Coastal Georgia 6:
After plating a go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth, Dharianna Familia left little doubt to the outcome of the nightcap as she sent a first-pitch fastball over the right field wall for a grand slam to give the RedHawks a five-run cushion.
Coastal Georgia plated five runs early in the contest and put the pressure on the RedHawks, who did not record a hit until the bottom of the fourth inning.
But, like the first contest, the RedHawk bats exploded for a big inning as they clubbed five hits and scored six runs to take a 6-5 lead after four full innings.
The Mariners added a run in the sixth, however, to tie the contest at six runs apiece.
That's when the RedHawks rallied for yet another huge inning as they scored five runs – four of which came on Familia's two-out blast.
The home run marked the fourth long ball of the season for Familia and her second grand slam of the year. Through her first 23 games, the senior has produced 32 hits – 15 of which have gone for extra bases. Familia's 32 hits rank tenth in the NAIA and her three triples match the same mark.
Brittany Bishop tossed just two-thirds of an inning, but collected the win in relief of starter Ashton Edwards. Edwards allowed seven hits and six runs, but only two earned runs in her 5.1 innings of work. Emily Robb nailed down the final three outs for the RedHawks.
