MARS HILL, N.C. – The No. 20-ranked Lincoln Memorial University softball program (23-7, 6-2 SAC) opened an action packed South Atlantic Conference week set to feature three series, as the Lady Railsplitters swept the Lions of Mars Hill in a road doubleheader Tuesday afternoon.
 
The Lady Railsplitters hit the 20-run mark against the Lions in an impressive fashion over the two contests, with a combination of efficient softball and a few keys Lion errors throughout the day.
 
Tuesday afternoon also saw junior Emma Frost just at about her best, striking out a total of 12 Lions for her 13th victory of the campaign. After a Lion outburst to begin game No. 2, New Jersey native Hayley Tamaro came in and pitched effectively yet again for LMU, improving to a perfect 5-0.   
 
The Blue & Grey picked up a major boost in the latter half of the doubleheader, with senior Sierra Hucklebee making her return to the diamond. The devastating offensive ability of the all-conference infielder proved to be too much for the Lions to keep their lead Tuesday afternoon.
 
Game 1 – No. 20 Lincoln Memorial defeat Mars Hill 6-2.
 
Two runs in the first, followed by the same offensive output in the second made all the difference in the first contest of the day, as the hot bat of Katie Tuggle opened LMU's account early on. The designated player smacked a double down the left field line scoring Emma Webb. Another hot hitter as of late added on straight out of the gates when Kelsey Hoskins singled into left field for an RBI.
 
A sacrifice-fly from Emma Webb and Lion pitching error on a throw off a Shelby Blake bunt doubled the Lady Railsplitters advantage, as the Lions did not see their first run safely score until the bottom-of-the-second.
 
A McKenzie Henry single and yet another Mars Hill error scored two insurance runs for LMU in the top-of-the-fourth, setting the stage for Emma Frost to close the Lions out in the opening doubleheader.
 
The dominant junior did just that, tallying yet another complete-game victory. Although the Morristown native gave up just three hits, the Lions made it count as both runs were earned. Frost still boasted an impressive 12-strikeout and five-walk victory to move to 13-3.
 
Game 2 – No. 20 Lincoln Memorial defeat Mars Hill 14-5.
 
Tusculum graduate transfer Delilah Malczewski struggled in her Tuesday outing against the Lions, with Mars Hill jumping out to a four-run lead straight out of the gates on LMU.
 
A key area the Lions struggled against LMU in game No. 1 was executing effectively on the diamond, which again they failed to do in the second game of the doubleheader, exploited by the Lady Railsplitters in a large fashion.
 
Two errors in the top-half of the second lead to a five-run LMU outburst, to immediately erase the Mars Hill advantage. Sierra Hucklebee's return meant the world to head coach Ritchie Richardson and his staff, as the senior doubled to center in the second, driving in two of the five runs in the inning.
 
The Mars Hill defense was not off the hook completely, as matters worsened in the top-half of the fifth, which saw three Lion errors and the scorching Lady Railsplitter bats erupt for nine total runs, pushing the contest to the run-rule limit. Kelsey Hoskins, Maddie Haskins, Madison Henry and Sierra Hucklebee again did drive in runs for the 20th-ranked team in the nation.
 
Senior Hayley Tamaro held the fort down in relief and was rewarded for her performance, improving to 5-0 on the year. Tamaro stuck out four while only walking two, closing out Mars Hill in the bottom-half of the fifth to seal yet another run-rule victory on the season.
 
UP NEXT…
The No. 20 Lady Railsplitters take on the Catawba Indians in a rescheduled conference matchup, set to take place inside Dorothy Neely this Thursday, March 24. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. EST.
 
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 Lady Railsplitter softball through the 2022 season.