HARROGATE, Tenn. — With more rain projected to come through late Tuesday evening, the Lincoln Memorial University softball staff and Milligan College opted to push their in-state doubleheader up an hour at Dorothy Neely Field.
 
 
The Basics
 
Tuesday, Feb. 19 vs. Milligan — 1 and 3 p.m.
Live Stats (Game One/Game Two)
Twitter
 
Quick Hits
 
-The last time the Lady Railsplitters (7-1) were on the field, they won a pair of games in convincing fashion. LMU started Saturday with a six-inning, 11-3, victory over Davis & Elkins followed by a five-inning, 10-1, romp of Ohio Dominican.
 
-Sophomore Grace Cochran had a career day, leading the Lady Railsplitters from the plate behind her combined 4-for-4 outing, three doubles and five RBI.
 
-Two of those doubles came against Ohio Dominican in the second game as her teammates — Emma Webb, McKenzie Henry, Allie Jones and Sierra Hucklebee — all joined the double party with one each.
 
-Those efforts pushed the Lady Railsplitters' team batting average to .377 on the season, while Faith Howe picked up her second win in the circle against Davis & Elkins, and Justice Smith solidified her first versus Old Dominican.
 
-On the bases, LMU has been stellar, stealing a perfect 10-of-10 bases. The Lady Railsplitters have been just as good in the field. Kelsie Hocutt, Henry, Webb, Kelsie Tuggle — who also hit her first career home run in the opening game Saturday — Jones and Savannah Daniel all sport unblemished fielding percentages after eight games.   
 
-LMU would have had two more games under their belt heading into this matchup, but Mother Nature swept through early Sunday morning, washing away a doubleheader for the Lady Railsplitters, who hope the rain stays away — or the level of precipitation is contained— so the duo of teams can play without any interruptions.
 
Know the Opponent
 
-The Buffs were more than willing to move this doubleheader up an hour after having their season opener postponed four days before eventually facing Mars Hill four days later on Feb. 14. Milligan dropped the pair of games, 0-7 and 5-7, and haven't played since.
 
-Initially, Milligan was set to host University of Rio Grande (Ohio) this past weekend at its Anglin Field, but the masses of rain stopped that from happening. Luckily for the Lady Railsplitters, their turf field allows play to happen unless it's too heavy of a downfall, which was the case on Sunday.
 
-In Milligan's only two games played and losses this season, the Buffs are averaging .204 at the plate while allowing its opponent to hit .429. After Milligan (0-2) was shutout in its season-opening game, they bounced back behind a home run from Madison Cook and Karsten Miller to make things interesting versus LMU's South Atlantic Conference opponent Mars Hill.
 
-The NAIA program found some rhythm in the circle via the arm of Erin Forgerty, who sported a 4.85 ERA in 4.1 innings, after Kassi Butcher (0-1) tossed the same amount but finished with an 11.31 ERA. In relief, Jaclyn Jenkins and Kendyl McCollister each tossed innings while not allowing a run. Jose Milam (0-1) pitched just one inning but allowed seven runs to put the Buffs in a tough spot.
 
-A season ago, the Buffs finished their season 22-20 behind a 15-9 conference record, losing four straight to end the year.
 
Head-to-Head
 
-Milligan opened its season last year with a doubleheader split with the Lady Railsplitters, winning the first game 1-0 before LMU won the next in five innings, 10-2.
 
-This series is one that has been around for 30 years, dating back to 1981 and continuing off-and-on to the present. LMU holds the 36-16 series lead with a 22-10 home advantage, while being 13-6 on the road and 1-0 in a neutral setting.