Article courtesy Claire Paul.
WALESKA, Ga. – The Martin Methodist Softball team split a pair on day two of the Reinhardt Invitational, shutting out Brescia (Ky.) University, 6-0, and falling late to the host team No. 16 Reinhardt (Ga.) University, 5-4.
Martin Methodist's Riley Fleming earned her first collegiate win in the circle in the opener, while Baylee Mellott suffered the second game loss.
The RedHawks improved to 5-5 with the 3-1 weekend outing. Porter's 12-for-16 weekend performance included a three-triple game that tied the NAIA single game record. The RedHawks return to action at the Gulf Coast Invitational on Friday, March 3rd at 1pm in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
Martin Methodist 6, Brescia (Ky.) 0:
Fleming fanned six batters in her debut in the circle, holding the Bearcats to just seven hits. The RedHawk offense continued a recent hot streak, pounding out 11 hits, led by Caylee Porter's 4-for-4 outing. Callie Pendley and Taylor Hurford each went 2-for-4 at the dish, as Hurford launched her third long ball of the season.
The RedHawks wasted no time jumping on the scoreboard, thanks to Porter who laced a two-out double down the left field line, scoring on Shelbi Byler's base hit up the middle. The RedHawks tacked one on in the 4th when Jordan Smith scored as a pinch runner for Hurford on a Deanna Stevens sacrifice fly.
The bottom of the 5th saw the scoring break open sparked by Pendley who forced a wild throw, advancing all the way to third. Porter scored Pendley with her second double of the contest, and was then plated by Hurford's blast to left.
Porter also accounted for the final score of the game, driving in Addison Morris on a base hit up the middle.
The RedHawk defense had a stellar outing that included two double plays, and a runner caught stealing by Raegan Hannah on a late threat from Brescia in the top of the 7th.
Reinhardt 5, Martin Methodist 4:
MMC's weekend finale was a showdown with host Reinhardt, and began with a home team score in the first. Down by one, Hurford opened the 2nd with a base hit, and moved to third on Hannah's double. Carson Coble picked up the RBI, grounding out to allow Hurford to score.
Reinhardt would score three more over the next four innings, leading the RedHawks 4-1 heading into the top of the 6th. Porter ignited the offense with a base hit, and was sacrificed to scoring position by Byler. Hurford's base hit set up Hannah who answered with an RBI base hit. Pinch runners Smith and Katlyn Andrin used a passed ball to reach scoring position for Kaylyn Lary who dropped a single into shallow center to tie the score at 4-4.
The RedHawks were unable to go-ahead in the top of the 7th, and a walk-off base hit led Reinhardt to victory, 5-4.
