NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A mid-season non-conference matchup saw the Railsplitters travel to take on the Trojans of Trevecca Nazarene University Tuesday afternoon, sealing the tenth victory of the season in dramatic fashion via a four-run eighth inning. In only just the fifth all-time meeting between the two programs, LMU (10-16) lead the series over the Trojans 3-2. Zuriel Collins produced in a big way for the Railsplitters, smashing his first-career homer, sparking an LMU comeback. Redshirt sophomore Walker Hennon completed the comeback, smacking a go-ahead, base-clearing double in the eighth.
 
Redshirt junior Bryce Woody started on the mound for LMU Tuesday afternoon, producing a solid two innings, striking out three batters, and only allowed one run, with no hits and three walks. The Trojans maintained a steady lead through the fourth inning, allowing only two Railsplitter hits, as the home side stretched the contest out to a two-run lead entering the fifth.   
 
Shortstop Zuriel Collins stepped to the plate in the top-half of the fifth, inspiring a Railsplitter rally. Collins launched his first-career collegiate homerun with a solo blast over the left field wall. DJ Alexander and third baseman Tyler Adams reached base following the homer, and Alexander scored to tie the ballgame up at 2-2 following a Trojan error. Brandon Parrott singled shortly after, driving in Adams for the first Railsplitter lead of the afternoon.   
 
The Trojans tacked on a run to even the game in the bottom half of the sixth. Ryan Franklin then took the mound for LMU, striking out the side in the seventh, before a game-changing eighth inning for the Railsplitters decided the contest.  
 
DJ Alexander, Scooter Ray and Cameron Bowen began the top-half of the eighth by reaching base, loading it up for Walker Hennon, who took over first base for Brandon Parrott in the fifth. Hennon stepped to the plate and delivered in a big way, knocking a double to left-center, clearing the bases to post a 6-3 LMU advantage. The game-winning double marked the first three RBI of the season for the redshirt sophomore. Catcher Sam Mast capped off the inning with a single through the left side, driving Hennon home to extend the Railsplitter lead out to 7-3.
 
The Trojans added just one run in the bottom-half of the eighth, before closer Eli Wright sealed his second save in three days for LMU's tenth victory of the 2021 season. A fourth total save on the season for Wright, as Ryan Franklin (3-0) ended up as the winning pitcher, following the all-important three-consecutive strikeouts in the bottom of the seventh.  
 
Up Next…
The Railsplitters return to conference action next Tuesday March 30 in the friendly confines of Lamar Hennon Field, hosting Lenoir-Rhyne. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. EST.
 
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.