MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Martin Methodist Softball team opened its 2020 SSAC schedule with a pair of victories Friday afternoon versus Faulkner (Ala.) at Wynn Field.

The RedHawks (7-3, 2-0 SSAC) picked up a 5-1 victory in the opener and held on for an 8-6 victory in the nightcap to take the first two ballgames in the four-game series.

The teams return to action Saturday afternoon to close out the four-game set, with a doubleheader scheduled for 1 p.m.

Martin Methodist 5, Faulkner 1:
The first game saw both teams post nine hits each, but the RedHawks cashed in on their scoring opportunities to pull away with the win. The RedHawks and Eagles were knotted at 1-1 after three innings, before the RedHawks rallied for three runs in the fifth and another in the sixth.

Leadoff hitters Sabrina Gilliam and Shayla Youngblood both posted multi-hit ballgames, accounting for four of the team's nine base hits. Gilliam drove in two of the team's four RBI. Samantha King and Raegan Hannah also drove in runs as the RedHawks scored five earned runs on the day.

In the circle, the RedHawks received a productive outing from Maddi Locke, who scattered nine hits and allowed just one unearned run across seven innings of work. The win improved Locke to 4-1 on the season and accounted for her first-ever SSAC victory in the circle.

Martin Methodist 8, Faulkner 6:
The nightcap saw the RedHawks fall behind early, giving up runs in the first and third innings to fall behind by a 3-0 margin after three full frames.

Down by three runs, the game turned in the fifth, when the RedHawks broke out for five runs and took their first lead of the contest. The RedHawks added crucial insurance runs in the sixth and seventh frames, as the home team scored three runs themselves in the final two innings.

Sabrina Gilliam notched two of the team's five runs driven in, including a sacrifice fly in the top of the sixth.

Kirsten Littrell scored a pair of runs at the bottom of the lineup and laid down two key sacrifice bunts. Raegan Hannah had the lone extra-base hit of the contest for the RedHawks.

In the circle, Samantha King wiggled out of danger in the final two innings to secure the win (3-1). King allowed nine hits and six runs – but just three were earned – in the victory. King issued five walks, but struck out four batters.