WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – Martin Methodist softball opened the 2019 season with a tough field of competition at the RussMat Softball Classic, finishing the weekend 1-3.
The RedHawks went eight innings for a tough 6-5 loss to Mount Mercy University in the season opener Friday evening, falling to Olivet Nazerene University 12-7 in the nightcap. MMC bounced back with a five-inning 9-0 defeat of Webber International University, dropping the weekend closer 3-2 to Warner University.
A total team offensive effort fueled the weekend, however, as the RedHawks averaged nearly six runs per game and pounding out 38 hits for a .336 team batting average. Shelby Clifton had a breakout weekend in her career debut, posting six hits including two homeruns and seven RBI for a .667 weekend at the dish, while Raven Rogers and Sabrina Gilliam opened their RedHawk careers with six and five hits over the weekend, respectively.
MMC's first contest saw five innings of scoreless softball before Mount Mercy put up two runs in the top of the sixth and tacked a third on in the top of the seventh. The RedHawks bats would spark in the bottom of the seventh, as back-to-back hits from Hannah Ward and Raegan Hannah plated the first MMC run. With a runner on, Clifton entered as a pinch hitter and launched a two-run moon shot to tie the game at 3-3 and force extra innings. With the international tie breaker rule in effect, the Mustangs scored three in the top of the eighth. Both Hannah Hayes and Ward would drive in a run each, but the effort would fall short, 6-5.
An early 6-0 deficit against Olivet Nazarene proved to be the difference in the 12-7 game two loss, though the RedHawk offense did not roll over. MMC saw 2-for-4 performances from Rogers, Gilliam, Hannah, and Taylor Ferguson, while Clifton continued her offensive charge with a perfect 3-for-3 outing including another homerun with four RBI.
The RedHawks bounced back with an offensive onslaught on Saturday morning, as Kaylee Davis spun a 9-0 shutout for her first season win, allowing just two hits. MMC used 10 hits to facilitate the win, as Rogers and Ombreyah Daly both turned in 2-for-2 marks at the plate, while Kirsten Littrell drove in three runs on two hits.
MMC's final contest of the weekend was decided by another one-run margin, this time edged by Warner University, 3-2. The RedHawks broke through three scoreless innings with a two-run fourth with Hannah Hayes and Clifton collecting the RBIs, but the Royals answered with three that would hold through the final three frames.
Martin Methodist will play host to Bryan College on Thursday, Feb. 21 for their home opener beginning at 3pm at Royce Hughes Field, then traveling to No. 12 Freed-Hardeman on Tuesday, Feb. 26 for a 3pm doubleheader.
