HARROGATE, Tenn. – After an exciting extra-inning season opener against the No. 8 team in the country this past Friday, the Lincoln Memorial University baseball team got its first victory of 2021 Wednesday afternoon at Lamar Hennon Field. There was no shortage of offense for the host Railsplitters (1-1) who lined 14 hits on the day and defeated visiting UVA Wise 10-2 in a midweek non-conference matchup.
 
Behind another big performance from graduate centerfielder Brent Richey and a 3-for-5 day at the plate by redshirt junior first baseman Brandon Parrott, LMU took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning that it would not relinquish. Strong pitching by committee, the Railsplitters held the Cavaliers (0-1) to just five hits and UVA Wise scored runs in only the fifth inning after LMU had built a 5-0 lead. The Railsplitters also benefited from a trio of Cavalier errors in the field.
 
The triumph marked the first win as a head coach for first-year leader Justin Haywood.

A three-up, three-down top of the first gave way to a Richey leadoff double in bottom of the frame as a two-out RBI single to center field by redshirt junior transfer left fielder Andrew Keene brought Richey home. Following a scoreless second inning, LMU blew things open with a four-run third. The visitors went to their bullpen for the first time of the day and the Railsplitters got a walk and a one-out single to left field from Parrott before graduate third baseman Tyler Adams smacked a two RBI double to center field. Keene then reached on a UVA Wise throwing error and Adams scored from second base to make it 4-0. Moments later, graduate catcher Dalton Dedas reached on a fielding error in right field and advanced to third as Keene safely reached home plate to give LMU the five-run advantage.
 
The Cavaliers constructed two runs in the top of the fifth without a hit, leading things off with a pair of walks and a balk. A fielder's choice gave UVA Wise runners in the corners with only one out and a third walk loaded the bases. After a flyout to left field, an RBI walk gave the Cavaliers their first run and a passed ball got UVA Wise within three at 5-2.
 
A big sixth inning extended the Railsplitters lead to 8-2 with three runs on four hits. A Dedas leadoff triple down the right field line allowed redshirt sophomore right fielder Scooter Ray to line out to right field for a sacrifice RBI and a single through the left side by graduate shortstop Zuriel Collins set up Richey for an RBI double to left field. A Parrott RBI single through the right side then brought around Richey to put LMU up by six runs.
 
After the Cavaliers left two stranded in the top of the seventh, the Railsplitters tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the inning. A Keene leadoff single through the left side, a flyout and a Dedas single through the right side brought up freshman second baseman Tyler Boyd, who singled to center field for an RBI as Keene scored. LMU's 10th and final run of the afternoon came on the next at bat when Ray smoked a ball back at the pitcher for his second RBI, bringing in Dedas. Redshirt junior right-hander Mason Turner and freshman righty Mason Malone shut down any hopes of a UVA Wise comeback, retiring six in order in the eighth and ninth frames.
 
Richey finished 2-for-5 with two doubles, two runs and an RBI, while both Keene and Dedas went 2-for-4 with a pair of runs each.
 
Redshirt junior right-hander Ryan Franklin got the start, tossing two strikeouts across the opening three innings. Brennan Murphy (1-0), a freshman righty and Harrogate native, made his collegiate debut on the mound, fanning one batter in the sixth and picking up the win. Redshirt freshman right-hander David Brian Ellison, along with Turner and Malone closed out the game by pitching one inning apiece. Freshman left hander Trey Schulz relieved Franklin and got two innings of work in.
 
Right-handed pitcher Garrett Stiltner took the loss for the Cavaliers after throwing the first two innings and giving up the first run.
 
Up Next…
The Railsplitters begin South Atlantic Conference play this weekend in the Palmetto State, facing Anderson in a pair of doubleheaders Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 20-21. First pitch of game one on both days is slated for 1 p.m. inside Anderson Memorial Stadium.
 
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 throughout the 2021 season, including any schedule changes.