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| Recap, photo courtesy of Martin Methodist |
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.
March 10th Recap
After Mother Nature had forced a pair of postponements, the RedHawks (6-7, 1-1) finally made their long-awaited home debut in front of a capacity crowd at the East Campus.
The RedHawks capitalized on a late home run to take the opener, 3-1, but suffered a hard-fought 6-4 loss in the nightcap.
GAME ONE:
Martin Methodist 3, No. 19 Faulkner 1:
In their first conference matchup of the season, the RedHawks and Eagles played a contest that lasted just a tidy 88 minutes. The RedHawks took the opener thanks to the longball as Sabrina Gilliam blasted a three-run bomb in the bottom of the fifth.
Kaylee Davis scattered six hits across seven innings of work, allowing just a solo home run in the top of the seventh. The home run marked the lone extra-base hit of the afternoon surrendered by the sophomore, who notched her fourth win (4-3) of the season.
Six different RedHawks notched hits in the victory, with Gilliam's blast serving as the lone extra-base hit. Taylor Ferguson, Shelby Clifton, Hannah Hayes, Ombreyah and Taylor Mitchell all accounted for singles.
In addition to her single at the plate, Ferguson kept the RedHawks alive defensively as they made a diving catch in right field in the bottom of the sixth that left the bases loaded for the Eagles.
Returning All-American Caitlin Perry suffered just her second loss (4-2) of the season and Gilliam's home run was the first surrendered by the senior this season.
GAME TWO:
No. 19 Faulkner 6, Martin Methodist 4:
Sunday's second contest saw the RedHawks strike for a run in the bottom of the first, but surrendered four runs in the top of the second and they were never able to recover.
Sabrina Gilliam started the scoring in the bottom of the first with her blast over the center field wall – her second home run of the day.
But in the second, the Eagles capitalized on two RedHawk errors to produce four runs – all unearned and take the 4-1 lead. The Eagles added two, what proved to be, insurance runs in the top of the third.
Trailing 6-1, the RedHawks began to get the bats rolling again as they accounted for two runs in the bottom of the fourth. After a pair of hits put runners aboard, the RedHawks saw Hannah Ward drive in two runs with a two-out single to center that plated Reagan Hannah and Ombreyah Daly. The Eagles then returned to Game 1 starter Caitlin Perry, who forced a groundout to end the inning.
The RedHawks made one final push in the seventh, sending four potential game-winning batters to the plate. Hannah Hayes led the frame off with a double and quickly moved to third on an ensuing single from Breanna Owens. Hayes came around to score on Hannah's single to shallow left field and pushed the potential tying run to second. Ashton Edwards came in to pinch hit and lifted a ball to left field, but did not drive deep enough to clear the bases. After Taylor Mitchell struck out, the RedHawks saw first-inning hero Sabrina Gilliam single to load the bases. Hannah Ward connected on a ball down the first base line, but was tagged out to end the contest.
Owens finished the ballgame 3-for-4 with three singles, while Ward's two singles drove in two of the RedHawks four RBIs.
Caitlin Perry (5-2) picked up the win after she relieved starter Bailey Whitfield, who lasted just 3.2 innings.
Victoria Haugness (1-4) suffered the loss in the circle for the RedHawks, lasting just 2.1 innings before giving way to Hannah Hayes, who allowed just two hits and no runs in her 4.2 innings of work.
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