ORANGEBURG, S.C. -- Eric Kalman (Brooklyn, N.Y.) became just the third player in program history to drive in eight runs in a game, as the junior first baseman hammered two home runs to lead the Railsplitters (2-2) in an 18-5 beatdown of the Claflin Panthers (0-4) in an NCAA Division II baseball game on Monday afternoon in Orangeburg, S.C.
 
Kalman notched an RBI single in the top of the first, hit a grand slam to pace a six-run flurry in the top of the second inning, slashed a two-run home run in the top of the fourth and recorded an RBI single to contribute to a nine-run rally in the top of the seventh, completing his day with four hits, three runs and eight RBIs. In the process, the Brooklyn, N.Y. native became Lincoln Memorial's first player with eight RBIs in a game since both Derek Treece and Chris Telinda accomplished that feat against Kentucky State in 2008. Kalman fell one RBI short of the single-game record set by Treece that day.
 
The Railsplitters piled up 14 hits and drew 10 walks to tally their most runs in a game since a 21-1 victory over Kentucky State in March, 2014. Seth Hunt (Knoxville, Tenn.) went 4-for-6 with two RBIs and two runs scored out of the lead-off spot, while Cody Hinson (Taylor Ridge, Ill.) went 2-for-6 with two runs batted in. Wes Neiderland (Thompson Station, Tenn.) walked three times and scored a run, while Danny Valdez (Orlando, Fla.) scored three runs and walked twice.
 
Kalman drove in seven runs through the first four innings to help the Railsplitters carry a commanding 9-0 lead into the bottom of the fifth inning, when the Panthers finally put a run on the board thanks to a sacrifice fly out from Rashad Bivens. Hunt accounted for LMU's other two runs over that early stretch, as he opened the scoring in the top of the second with a two-run double.
 
The Railsplitters broke the game wide open in the top of the seventh by bringing nine runs across to extend their lead to 18-1. Hinson plated a pair of runs in that frame with a two-run single, while Russell Clark (Wexford, Pa.) also contributed to that offensive outburst with a run-scoring double.
 
The Panthers produced four of their five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning with the game well out of reach. Bivens doubled home two runs, while an error and a wild pitch allowed two more runs to cross.
 
Zac Butler (Blue Springs, Mo.) picked up the win for the Railsplitters in his first appearance on the mound since the 2014 season. Butler, who missed the entire 2015 season with an arm injury, struck out three and allowed three hits and no runs over four innings. Drew Lyles (Cleveland, Tenn.) threw the last 2 1/3 innings, holding the Panthers hitless over that span with one strikeout.
 
The win moved Lincoln Memorial back to .500 on the season while helping the Railsplitters improve to 5-1 all-time against Claflin and avenge a 5-4 loss at the hands of the Panthers in the second game of a doubleheader last season in Orangeburg.
 
Torriun Towers fell to 0-1 on the season for the Panthers after serving up seven runs (one earned) and four hits over two innings. Jesse Minter and Jalen Thompson paced the Claflin offense with two hits apiece.
 
Lincoln Memorial opens Lamar Hennon Field this weekend with a three-game set against the Ohio Valley Scots, beginning with a 4 p.m. first pitch on Friday.