HARROGATE, Tenn. — Before the South Atlantic Conference doubleheader versus Lenoir-Rhyne Saturday, the Lincoln Memorial University softball team will honor a trio of seniors in Kelsie Hocutt, Allie Jones and Jacie Pittman.
 
So far this season, the four-year LMU players have guided the Lady Railsplitters (29-11, 7-7 SAC) to their first-ever national ranking — reaching as high as No. 18 before falling out ahead of Wednesday's doubleheader at Tusculum — and on their Senior Day, the upperclassmen will attempt to lead their team over the Bears (25-13, 8-5) for just the fourth time since 2000.
 
The Basics
Saturday, April 13 vs. Lenoir-Rhyne at Dorothy Neely Field — 2 & 4 p.m.
Live Stats (Game One / Game Two)
 
 
Quick Hits
-Historically, this matchup has been a very difficult one for the Lady Railsplitters, who last defeated Lenoir-Rhyne, 3-1, in 2014. Before that win, LMU tamed the Bears in 2002 (4-2) and not again until 2013, edging out the 2-1 win.
 
-Since the 2014 victory, the Lady Railsplitters have lost nine straight, pushing the lop-sided overall series record to 3-26 in favor of the Bears. A win over top-seeded Lenoir-Rhyne Saturday would not only help snap that streak, but take the Lady Railsplitters, who are in four-way tie for fifth place, from the middle of the SAC pack and back towards the top of the rankings.
 
-A win would also turn over a new leaf and begin a new precedent for the Lady Railsplitters versus the mighty Bears, while getting LMU back in its groove. The Lady Railsplitters have had a tough little stretch from the end of March until now, losing the last six of nine games before their second SAC doubleheader ended with a sweep of Carson-Newman. LMU hasn't taken a series since then, splitting four series' and losing one.
 
-Even in span, LMU has been fairly consistent on offense. Ty-Kella Goins paces the Lady Railsplitters behind her second-best .375 batting average and her conference-leading and nation's third-ranked 17 doubles. Emma Webb and the sophomore's .384 batting average is the top among the Lady Railsplitters, while her 12 doubles is second tied alongside Grace Cochran (.330).
 
-Freshman Sierra Hucklebee reached the double-digit double number Wednesday in a split versus Tusculum as she went 5-for-5 at the plate in the first game with a pair of extra-base hits to push her to 10. Fellow freshman McKenzie Henry continued to bat runs in, bringing five total home — with three coming from her 11th home run in the first game — to put her in sole possession of second place in the SAC with 48 RBI. Henry is five home runs away from tying the single-season home run record held by Brittney Walker (2007) with her 16, while she is nine away from the RBI single-season record of 58 RBI that Sara Henn (2008) currently holds.
 
-Those offensive efforts have had the Lady Railsplitter atop the conference all season long and that's still been the case. LMU is first in runs (275), doubles (91), RBI (246), extra-base hits (134), walks (142) and hit by pitch (40), on-base percentage (.416) and slugging percentage (.517). The Lady Railsplitters' team .322 batting average and 346 hits are second in the SAC, while their 33 home runs are fourth.
 
Know the Opponent
 
-Since winning eight straight midway through the season, the Bears have lost the last three of four games, including a sweep on their home field versus Carson-Newman. On the other hand, Lenoir-Rhyne has handed out a handful of sweeps, taking down Queens, Mars Hill and Catawba, while splitting with Anderson, Newberry and losing the first game against Coker before the second one was postponed.
 
-The Bears are right on the cusp of top five in the SAC's statistical categories, coming in at sixth in runs (199), hits (294), RBI (182), batting average (.292) and earned run average (3.28). However, Lenoir-Rhyne is second in walks (129) and fourth in home runs (33).
 
-Leading those numbers is Talon LaClair and her conference fourth-best batting average (.415). The sophomore's 49 hits, 35 RBI and 12 doubles are also a team-high, while Mackensi Swain's eight home runs pace the Bears on blasts.
 
-Savannah Morefield has 13 stolen bases — good for third in the conference — along with a second-team best .369 batting average and a team-tying third-ranked six doubles. Kylee Leonhardt's eight doubles is second for the Bears, while her 27 RBI is tied for second with Leanna Sherrill.
 
-In the circle, Lenoir Rhyne has the conference's leader in wins: Brandi Parks (17-7). The senior righty has tossed 135.2 innings for a 4.05 ERA while striking out 103 batters in the process. Emily Kenley (7-4) is next with her 3.38 ERA over 72 innings pitched, striking out 41; moreover, Hannah Jennings (0-0) has been the third option as she has thrown 24 innings (5.25 ERA) and Kimberly Blair (1-2) is the fourth, tossing 17.2 innings (7.64 ERA).