PULASKI, Tenn. – The Martin Methodist Softball team split a doubleheader versus Middle Georgia State College in its 2018 conference opener Friday afternoon at Royce Hughes Field.
The RedHawks (9-7, 1-1 SSAC) claimed a 6-3 win in the opener and suffered a 4-2 loss in the nightcap to begin the conference slate.
Martin Methodist returns to action tomorrow with another conference doubleheader. The RedHawks will host Brewton-Parker (Ga.) College in a doubleheader scheduled for 1 p.m. at Royce Hughes Field.
Martin Methodist 6, Middle Georgia 3:
In the opening contest of the day, the RedHawks notched three runs in the bottom of the third and tacked on three more in the bottom of the fifth for a 6-3 victory.
The win marked the third-straight SSAC opening victory for the RedHawks.
Caylee Porter was the offensive hero in the first game for the RedHawks. The junior produced three hits – all doubles – in a perfect 3-for-3 effort at the plate. Porter drove in two runs and scored once herself in the victory.
Gracie Pyle also went 3-for-3 in the first contest at the number nine spot for the RedHawks. The freshman also scored a run and provided an offensive spark for the RedHawks at the bottom of the lineup.
Baylee Mellott allowed 11 hits, but only surrendered three runs in the victory (5-3) in the circle. The junior allowed just two earned runs and struck out three Knight batters in the win.
Meagan Coleman suffered the loss (3-3) in the circle for the Knights. Coleman allowed 12 hits and four of the six RedHawk runs scored were earned.
Middle Georgia 4, Martin Methodist 2:
The nightcap was unkind to the RedHawks as they suffered a hard-fought 4-2 defeat.
After they produced 12 hits in the first contest of the day, the RedHawks were limited to just seven hits in the second outing. The first five hitters all notched one hit apiece, but combined for a collective 5-for-18 for the game.
Courtney McFarlan produced the lone RBI for the RedHawks while Caylee Porter notched the lone extra-base hit. For the day, Porter finished 4-for-6 with four doubles.
After they spotted the Knights two runs in the first inning, the RedHawks rallied back within a single run after they scored in the third and fifth innings. But a quick bottom of the sixth and Knight insurance run in the top of the seventh ultimately doomed the RedHawks.
Kaylee Davis allowed nine hits and four runs in the circle to suffer the loss (4-3).
Harley Roberts picked up the win (2-4) for the Knights. She scattered seven hits and allowed just one earned run.
