PULASKI, Tenn. – The Martin Methodist Softball team opened its 2018 season a day earlier than expected, but picked up two wins over Bryan (Tenn.) College on Opening Day Thursday afternoon at Royce Hughes Field.
The RedHawks (3-1) followed up with a doubleheader split on Friday versus Truett-McConnell (Ga.) University to finish their first weekend of play.
The RedHawks return to action next Tuesday, Feb. 13, for a doubleheader at future Southern States Athletic Conference foe Stillman (Ala.) College.
BRYAN SERIES:
In Thursday's season-opening series, the RedHawks picked up a 6-1 win in the opener and rallied for a 7-6 victory in the nightcap.
The opening contest saw the RedHawks score three runs in just the second inning to take an early 3-0 lead. They expanded the lead with single runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to build up the 6-1 margin of victory. The RedHawks could have ended the contest via an early run rule, but left several baserunners stranded to see the game go the full seven innings.
Leadoff hitter Taylor Ferguson, who missed all of 2017 with an injury, picked up right where she left off in 2016 with a 3-for-4 effort at the plate. The junior notched two doubles, drove in three runs and even collected a stolen base in the victory.
Taylor Mitchell hit behind Ferguson and went 2-for-3 with a walk in her RedHawk debut. Newcomer Gracie Pyle also went 2-for-3 at the bottom of the RedHawk lineup.
Baylee Mellott scattered five hits and allowed just one run to collect the victory (1-0) in the circle.
The second contest of the day was a seesaw affair, as the RedHawks and Lions scored nine of the game's 13 runs in the final three innings.
The RedHawks squandered a 5-3 fifth inning lead, but provided the first bit of theatrics this season in the bottom of the seventh for the come-from-behind victory.
Taylor Hurford led the inning off with a double to left and advanced to third on a single from Leisha Yamauchi. From there, Hurford scored the game-tying run on a single from Caylee Porter. Pinch runner Kirsten Littrell replaced Yamauchi and advanced to third when the Lions walked Raegan Hannah to load the bases.
That's when Addie Baird singled to right and sent Littrell home for the walkoff victory.
Hurford and Yamauchi finished the nightcap 3-for-4 each at the plate, with Hurford accounting for two runs scored. Porter finished 2-for-3 and drove in three runs.
Kaylee Davis relieved starter Deanna Stevens in the top of the fourth and hung on to collect her first career victory (1-0).
TRUETT-MCCONNELL SERIES:
On Friday, the RedHawks opened the day with a 3-1 victory and suffered an 8-1 defeat in the second contest.
In the opener, runs were at a premium as the RedHawks used five hits to plate three runs and relied on sharp pitching and defense to preserve the victory.
The RedHawks plated two runs in the bottom of the first when Caylee Porter cranked a two-out, two-run double to deep left-center.
The RedHawks added an insurance run in the fourth when Gracie Pyle's shot to third base was mishandled and allowed Raegan Hannah to score and go up 3-1.
From there, the RedHawks turned the ball over to starting pitcher Baylee Mellott, who scattered six hits over seven innings to pick up her second win (2-0) of the season. Mellott allowed a two-out home run in the fifth on an otherwise near-perfect day.
In the final game of the weekend, the RedHawks bats were quiet as the accounted for just four hits and allowed 18 hits in an 8-1 defeat.
No RedHawk finished with more than one hit and all four hits were singles. Kaylee Davis suffered the loss (1-1) on the mound. Davis allowed nine hits and five runs in her 3.1 innings of work. Sydney Watson allowed nine hits and three runs in her three innings of work.
Leisha Yamauchi collected the final two outs in the circle in the defeat.
