GREENEVILLE, Tenn. — It was the doubleheader-opening game the Lincoln Memorial University softball team was looking for Wednesday as the Lady Railsplitters' bats were popping in a 13-6 win, but the night cap didn't end as well.
Tusculum powered back from a two-run deficit, using a four-run sixth frame to take the lead from the visitors and the eventual 8-5 win for the South Atlantic Conference split in Greeneville, Tenn.
In the first game, the Lady Railsplitters (29-11, 7-7 SAC) were hot from the plate as they scored 13 runs on 16 hits — seven being extra-base hits with six doubles and the other a home run. LMU got to starter Ivee Richesin (L, 6-6) through 4.2 inning, knocking in four runs off eight hits, while scoring the other nine on relievers Allison Pate (1.1 IP) and Taylor Plemons (1 IP).
It was in the fourth inning when
Grace Cochran (2-for-2, two BB) smacked the first double of the day, scoring
Kelsie Hocutt for the game's first run. The Lady Railsplitters added to that advantage in the next frame as three consecutive doubles — one from
Sierra Hucklebee,
Emma Webb and
McKenzie Henry — scored a pair of runs, while Hocutt added an RBI-single to bring home Webb (3-for-5, 3 RBI).
Right when the Pioneers (18-18, 6-10) were gaining ground by coming within two runs of the Lady Railsplitters' 4-2 lead, LMU pushed it back out in the top of the sixth frame.
Sierra Hucklebee topped off her masterful day, finishing it perfect at the plate (5-for-5) with one of her two doubles to score Cochran (walk). Fellow freshman Henry (2-for-4, 4 RBI) followed her lead, continuing the two-out rally as she absolutely crushed a three-run home run to go up 8-2.
Tusculum added a run on in the bottom half of the sixth, but the LMU offensive attack exploded again, plating five runs on five hits and an error. Down 10 runs heading into the bottom seventh, the Pioneers attempted a come-from-behind rally as they plated three hits on four runs; however, the Lady Railsplitter lead was too far to threaten.
Faith Howe (W,11-3) held Tusculum hitless through the third inning and didn't allow a run until the fifth inning when Emma Casey sent out a two-run shot.
Bailey Griffith took over for Howe then, tossing an inning before Howe came back in when the sixth began. When Howe allowed another home run — this one from Taylor Johnson — head coach
Ritchie Richardson opted to bring in junior
Justice Smith, who finished off the game one victory.
The Pioneers kept their hot finish to the twin-bill opening game going into the second as they got to starter Griffith early, scoring three runs on three hits.
But, the Lady Railsplitters responded with two runs in the second followed by three more in the fourth. With two outs, the pair of runs in the second frame came via a fielding error by the Pioneer shortstop as
Ty-Kella Goins' grounder was enough to push two runs across in
Allie Jones and Cochran.
Then in the fourth inning, the two-out hitting continued as Henry plated Hucklebee (double), with a first-pitch single through second base. Webb followed with a hard-hit single into center field, moving Henry to third base and eventually scoring her on a throwing error for the lead-taking run, which also carried Webb to third and brought in a pitching change.
Hocutt, who was the only Lady Railsplitter with two hits (2-for-3) topped off the three-run inning, snagging a two-run advantage as Webb trotted home. Her hit against reliever Plemons (W, 6-6) was the only one she allowed over a scoreless 3.1 innings.
The Pioneers got a run back in the fifth as Anna Alloway doubled in Emily White, who pinch ran for Taylor Johnson. Tusculum took inching one run closer to the Lady Railsplitters to getting to starter Griffith (L, 10-7) and using their four-run sixth inning for the stunning come-from-behind victory.
Up Next
The Lady Railsplitters will be back in action for a 2 p.m. doubleheader Saturday versus Lenoir-Rhyne, which will also be Senior Day at Dorothy Neely Field.
