AIKEN, S.C. – After opening day was postponed 25 hours due to weather, the Lincoln Memorial University baseball team took to the diamond Saturday afternoon and threw out the first pitch of its 2020 campaign at Roberto Hernandez Stadium in Aiken, South Carolina. Despite a four-run sixth inning, the Railsplitters (0-1) were unable to upend host USC Aiken in an 8-6 affair for both team's season opener.
 
The Pacers (1-0) scored five of their eight runs in the fifth inning and tacked a run on in the bottom of the eighth to secure the opening win. LMU got a big day from freshman designated hitter Jacob Critzer, who collected a sacrifice fly and knocked in a double, and redshirt senior first baseman Grady Wright knocked out the Railsplitters' first home run of the year.
 
His second homer of his career and first since 2018, Wright's three-run shot in the top of the sixth made it a two-run game at 7-5.
 
The Railsplitters struck first and took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second after a scoreless first. Critzer's leadoff double to left field gave way to a passed ball before a two-out USC Aiken error brought the freshman home for his first collegiate run.
 
The Pacers would respond in the bottom of the inning, collecting a trio of hits and scoring on a two-out two RBI single down the left field line by second baseman Scott Huntley.
 
Following scoreless third and fourth frames, the home team's bats erupted for five hits in the fifth. After a leadoff hit by pitch, sacrifice bunt and single, Pacer centerfielder Sean McQuillan connected on an RBI single to third base. Right fielder Jackson Hannon then stepped to the plate and delivered a two RBI single to left field to make it a 5-1 game. Another single and a two-out two RBI double to left field by designated hitter Blake Jenkins increased USC Aiken's lead to 7-1.
 
LMU's three-hit, four-run sixth got the Railsplitters within striking distance as senior catcher Dalton Dedas led things off being struck by a pitch. Loading the bases with no outs, senior shortstop Tyler Adams singled to center field before senior right fielder Brent Richey was walked. Critzer collected his first career RBI with a sacrifice to left field, allowing Dedas to reach home. Trailing 7-2, Wright crushed a three RBI shot over the wall as both Richey and Adams scored to make it 7-5 with only one out in the inning. Freshman left fielder Collin Goda got a single to left field but a pair of strikeouts from right-handed reliever Austin Sandifer closed the frame.
 
Sophomore righty reliever Eli Wright retired three in order in the bottom of the sixth but LMU was able to get just a single and stolon base from Dedas in the top of the seventh.
 
In the bottom of the seventh, the Pacers had bases loaded with only one out, but the arm of sophomore right-handed reliever Patrick Queener got the Railsplitters out of the jam. A strikeout and a groundout to first base shut the door after Queener took to the mound for Eli Wright.
 
LMU left one stranded in the eighth after a walk and USC Aiken added a run in the bottom of the inning on one hit. A walk, stolen base and flyout allowed Huntley to reach third before McQuillan brought him home on a sacrifice fly to center field.
 
Down 8-5, the Railsplitters were able to bring one across home plate in the top of the ninth but left the bases loaded. A trio of walks began the frame to bring Adams to the plate for the would-be go-ahead run. Following a fly ball, Richey singled to the shortstop for an RBI as redshirt senior second baseman Zuriel Collins scored to make it 8-6. A flyout and a fielder's choice out thwarted anymore hope for LMU.
 
Redshirt sophomore starting right-handed pitcher Evan Porter (0-1) took the loss on the hill, finishing with four strikeouts and no walks in four and 2/3 innings and 23 batters faced. Eli Wright and Queener both struck out one and walked two in one and 2/3 innings of relief work.
 
Pacer righty starter Lindsey Robinson, Jr. (1-0) claimed the win after going five innings with five strikeouts and only one walk in 19 batters faced. Right hander Blake Seigler (1) got the save after tossing the ninth, walking three and striking out none.
 
USC Aiken left fielder Eric McGirt went 2-for-4 in the game with a run scored.
 
Up Next…
The Railsplitters continue their three-game series with USC Aiken Sunday afternoon in South Carolina. First pitch of game one is slated for 12 p.m. with both games to be played a full nine innings. Monday, LMU will head to Orangeburg, South Carolina, to take on Claflin University in a 1 p.m. tilt.
 
How to Follow
Stay tuned to LMURailsplitters.com, as well as LMU's social media platforms - @LMURailsplitter on Twitter, @LMURailsplitters on Facebook and @lmurailsplitters on Instagram, for complete coverage of Railsplitter baseball leading up to the 2020 season.