PULASKI, Tenn. – The Martin Methodist Softball team swept both games of Monday's doubleheader versus No. 19 Faulkner (Ala.) to take 3-of-4 ballgames in its first SSAC series of the season.
In the opener, Martin Methodist connected on back-to-back hits in the bottom of the seventh to claim a walkoff 4-3 victory versus Faulkner.
In the nightcap, the RedHawks (8-7, 3-1 SSAC) cranked out three runs in the bottom of the fifth to claim a 10-2, run-rule victory versus the Eagles (5-7, 1-3 SSAC).
The RedHawks return to action on Wednesday, March 13, when they host Bryan (Tenn.). First pitch in Wednesday's doubleheader is set for 3 p.m. at Royce Hughes Field.
GAME ONE:
Martin Methodist 4, No. 19 Faulkner 3:
In Monday's first contest, the RedHawks saved their best for last as they notched back-to-back hits in the bottom of the seventh to produce a walkoff victory versus the No. 19 nationally-ranked Eagles.
Tied at 3-3, Sabrina Gilliam led the inning off with a double to deep left-center to give the RedHawk an immediate scoring threat. The threat turned into a run quickly as Hannah Ward sent a 1-0 pitch over the outstretched glove of the Faulkner second baseman to allow Gilliam to wheel around third and score the game-winning run.
The duo of Gilliam and Ward accounted for two hits each, which amounted to four of the team's six hits in the ballgame.
After a big day on Sunday, Gilliam was sensational yet again in Monday's opener, launching a two-run home run in the bottom of the second to go along with the double in the seventh.
Ward, meanwhile, produced two singles, but none bigger than the walkoff hit in the seventh. Taylor Mitchell accounted for the other RedHawk RBI with a single in the bottom of the fourth.
Kaylee Davis (5-3) picked up her second win in as many tries versus the Eagles in the series. The sophomore
GAME TWO:
Martin Methodist 10, Faulkner 2:
In the nightcap, the RedHawks utilized five runs in the bottom of the third, added two in the fourth, and tacked on three in the fifth to claim the run-rule victory versus the Eagles.
Sabrina Gilliam continued her torrid pace to the start of conference play as she went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBIs. The junior finished the Sunday-Monday series 8-of-14 with five of the eight hits going for extra bases. Gilliam smacked a home run in 3-of-4 ballgames in the conference series and drove in eight RBIs.
After she reached via error in her first at-bat, Taylor Ferguson drove in three RBIs in the victory, all via singles as part of a 3-for-4 effort at the plate.
Shelby Clifton (1-for-3) also drove in two runs via a double in the bottom of the third.
In all, the RedHawks cranked out a season-high 14 hits – their most in a game since they stroked 15 versus William Carey (Miss.) last April.
After allowing five hits and two runs in the first two innings, RedHawk starter Victoria Haughness (2-4) allowed neither over the next three as she picked up her second victory as a RedHawk.
