PULASKI, Tenn. – Due to inclement weather, the Martin Methodist Softball team will see its 2019 home opener delayed by two days. Originally set for a four-game series across Friday and Saturday, Martin Methodist will now host Faulkner (Ala.) in a special Sunday-Monday series at Royce Hughes Field.

The series is the SSAC Softball Game of the Week, with first pitch in Sunday's doubleheader set for 2 p.m. and a Monday doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m.

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The matchup is the first conference action of the year for the RedHawks (5-6, 0-0 SSAC) and the No. 19 nationally-ranked Eagles (5-4, 0-0).

Both teams enter the weekend series after five games at the Gulf Coast Invitational in Gulf Shores, Alabama, played March 2-3. The RedHawks posted an impressive 4-1 record, with their lone loss coming in the weekend finale, 5-4, to Baker (Kan.), a squad currently receiving votes in the NAIA Softball Coaches' Top 25 Poll. The RedHawks also snagged a win versus No. 12 Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.), 14-4, in Gulf Shores.

Faulkner, meanwhile, went 3-2 on the weekend, winning 7-3 versus receiving votes Rio Grande (Ohio) and falling, 3-2, to No. 22 Southeastern (Fla.) in their lone contest versus a Top 25 squad.

The RedHawks are led at the plate by the trio of Sabrina Gilliam (JR/Columbia, Tenn.), Taylor Mitchell (SR/Fayetteville, Tenn.) and Shelby Clifton (FR/ATOKA, Tenn.). Gilliam leads the RedHawks with 17 hits and a .447 batting average through the club's first 11 ballgames. Mitchell has also posted double-digit hits, notching nine singles and one double for a .400 average. Clifton, who has already been named SSAC Softball Player of the Week once this season, has already hit two home runs in her first 12 hits. Her .613 slugging percentage is a team high.

In the circle, the RedHawks are led by Kaylee Davis (SO/Mt. Pleasant, Tenn.) and Victoria Haugness (JR/KANSAS CITY, Mo.), who have combined for 13 total appearances. Davis leads the team with three wins, while Haugness has added another. Breanna Owens (JR/Fayetteville, Tenn.) picked up her first win of the season last weekend versus Freed-Hardeman.

Faulkner is led by Kendall Bennett, who leads the team in hits (11), RBIs (9) and runs scored (6). Returning All-American pitcher Caitlin Perry leads the Eagles. The senior has posted a 4-1 record and a stingy 1.46 earned-run average in her 33.2 innings of work this season.

The RedHawks lead the all-time series since joining the SSAC in 2013, but only by two ballgames, 11-9.