HICKORY, N.C. – An entertaining midweek non-conference matchup between Lincoln Memorial University baseball and Lenoir-Rhyne University was decided by a single run Wednesday evening at Durham Field in Hickory, North Carolina. All tied up at 9-9 after eight and 2/3 innings of play, the host Bears (7-5) scored on a walk-off RBI single to right field to earn a 10-9 victory.
 
Despite connecting on just six hits, the Railsplitters (5-7) took full advantage of five Lenoir-Rhyne errors in the field as all nine of their runs came unearned. LMU stole a season-high seven bases, was walked eight times, and wore three pitches but was unable to keep the Bears' bats cool, allowing 16 hits in the road tilt.
 
Both teams accounted for four runs in the second inning and the Railsplitters led through five innings after a three-run fifth. A four-run bottom sixth frame put Lenoir-Rhyne ahead 9-7 before LMU knotted things up in the top of the seventh.
 
After a scoreless opening inning, redshirt junior left fielder/pitcher Andrew Keene led off the second with a single. Following a Bear throwing error, redshirt freshman catcher Sam Mast grounded out for an RBI as Keene reached home plate. Later in the inning, graduate shortstop Zuriel Collins collected a sacrifice fly to right field for redshirt sophomore centerfielder Zach Fritts to score and give the Railsplitters a 2-0 lead. Graduate outfielder Brent Richey then rocked a two-out, 0-2 pitch to right center field for a pair of RBI with freshman second baseman Tyler Boyd and redshirt third baseman Cameron Bowen scoring.
 
Lenoir-Rhyne led off the bottom of the second with a solo home run from first baseman Matt Mackey over the center field wall before getting a pair of runs on a triple down the right field line courtesy of shortstop David Bell. A sacrifice bunt by third baseman Manny Montes evened the score at four and the Bears got another double to total five hits in the inning.
 
Lining two more hits in the bottom of the third, Lenoir-Rhyne took its first lead of the day with an RBI single through the left side by right fielder Will Jones. Held without a hit in both the top of the fourth and fifth, LMU constructed a three-run fifth inning to retake the lead. Redshirt junior first baseman Brandon Parrott was walked with one out, stole second base and advanced to third on a passed ball, before freshman designated hitter/right fielder Ryan Kurth was walked and stole second. Keene then reached on a Bear error as Parrott and Kurth were both able to safely tag home. The Railsplitters pushed ahead 7-5 when Keene scored on a two-out wild pitch.
 
Holding Lenoir-Rhyne hitless in the bottom of the fifth, LMU saw its advantage vanish in the sixth with three Bear hits, two of which resulted in four RBI. A bunt single, wild pitch and pair of walks led to catcher Nick Clarno rocking a ground-rule double for two runs. Moments later, Mackey singled down the left field line for two more runs to put Lenoir-Rhyne back in front at 9-7.
 
A Parrott leadoff single to center field in the top of the seventh setup a two-run inning for LMU. After Parrott stole second base and both Mast and Fritts were walked, Bowen reached on a Bear error that allowed Parrott to score. Boyd earned an RBI via hit by pitch with Mast reaching home to tie the score at nine apiece.
 
A pair of Lenoir-Rhyne two-out singles in the bottom of the seventh proved to be the only real threat for either team until the ninth inning. The Railsplitters would load the bases in the top of the ninth and leave all runners stranded. Keene led off the frame with a single to second base and Mast reached on yet another Bear error. A one-out balk and a hit by pitch put three on board but a strikeout and a pop up quickly squandered any chances for LMU.
 
Bell got a one-out single for Lenoir-Rhyne in the bottom of the ninth and advanced to second base on a wild pitch before he reached third on a groundout. Following a walk, second baseman Xander Ferlenda took a 0-0 pitch to right field for his fourth hit of the game and the walk-off win.
 
Keene finished 2-for-4 at the plate with an RBI, two runs scored and a walk. Redshirt junior right-handed starter Ryan Franklin went two full innings on the mound, striking out three and allowing just one earned run. Redshirt sophomore right-handed closer Eli Wright (0-1) took the loss after 2/3 innings of work.
 
The Bears' Ferlenda went 4-for-5 at the dish, while Clarno was 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. Centerfielder Drue Galassi also went 2-for-4 with two walks and a run and Mackey, Jones and Bell were all 2-for-5.
 
Righty reliever Jackson Reid didn't allow a hit in the fifth and wrung up three but gave up three unearned runs. Lenoir-Rhyne right-handed closer Alex Shirazi (1-0) faced three batters in the ninth and claimed a strikeout to get the decision.
 
Up Next…
The Railsplitters continue their six-game road trip this weekend when LMU travels to Wingate, North Carolina, for a four-game set with the Bulldogs Saturday and Sunday, March 6-7. Each day's doubleheader is slated for a 1 p.m. first pitch from Ron Christopher Stadium.
 
How to Follow
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