ANDERSON, S.C. – The Lincoln Memorial University softball program (37-18, 15-9 SAC) once again knocked off No. 1-seed Anderson, this time on the Lady Trojan field in the second-round winners matchup at the 2022 NCAA DII Southeast Regional Friday morning.
 
The fourth showdown of the season between the two SAC champions was all about the Sierra Hucklebee show of Lincoln Memorial, as the power-hitting shortstop was solely responsible for the LMU run-output in the 4-2 victory.
 
After a scoreless two frames between two of the top pitchers in the Southeast region, Laken Maxwell of Anderson and Emma Frost of Lincoln Memorial, the Lady Railsplitter offense finally broke the deadlock in the Palmetto State. Shelby Blake, Madison Henry and Grace Cochran all successfully reached base against Maxwell, loading it up for Hucklebee. The senior Knoxville native smacked a ball down the left field line that just stayed fair, bringing home Blake and Henry for the early advantage.
 
The next one-and-a-half innings remained scoreless until Hucklebee once again came through, landing a knock-out blow on the host Trojans. The shortstop crushed an absolute no-doubter over the left center field fence after Madison Henry reached base, putting LMU four-zip up. Hucklebee has now recorded a total of five RBI throughout the regional.
 
An Anderson home run in the sixth, followed by two runners reaching in the seventh had the scene set for a dramatic finish. Carpenter smacked a drive into right that skipped by Hoskins in the ensuing at-bat scoring one; however, Lady Trojan base running cost themselves the contest. As Carpenter rounded second and headed for the triple, the lead runner in front of her held up, leaving both in a run-down. LMU took advantage of the costly mistake and eventually tagged the lead-runner out. Emma Frost then finished off her second-successive complete-game in the next at-bat with a groundout to second to advance Ritchie Richardson's squad to championship Saturday.
 
Posting her 23rd win and 25th complete-game on the campaign, junior Emma Frost did allow eleven hits, but managed to keep Anderson in-check with her ice-cold composure. Following up her King victory from yesterday, Frost again struck out five Lady Trojan batters on the morning.
 
No. 1-seed Anderson was then sent to the afternoon's third matchup and elimination game against No. 4-seed King, who defeated and eliminated Francis Marion University in game two Friday. In a back-and-forth encounter, the Lady Trojans prevailed on their home turf, forcing yet another matchup with LMU in Saturday's NCAA DII Southeast Regional Championship.
 
As Lincoln Memorial are 2-0 on the weekend, the Blue & Grey need just one victory to advance to next Thursday's NCAA Southeast Super-Regional. One-seed Anderson will have to defeat LMU twice tomorrow to advance.
 
Anderson's No. 2 arm, Duncan picked up the victory to eliminate King in game three Friday, setting the stage for Laken Maxwell to again face the Lady Railsplitters. With the massive advantage of just about 24 hours of rest, Emma Frost could again take the circle Saturday at noon EST to pitch for a Southeast Regional title.

Saturday, May 14
Game 6 12:00 PM No. 5-seed Lincoln Memorial vs. No. 1-seed Anderson
Game 7 2:30 PM Winner of Game 6 vs. Loser of Game 6 (If Anderson defeats Lincoln Memorial in Game 6)
 
Ticket Information
All-session passes and daily tickets will not be available in advance, but may be purchased at the gate using cash or credit cards.
All-session pass: $20 for adults and $10 for students, children, seniors and military.
Daily tickets: $10 for adults and $5 for students, children, seniors, and military.
 
UP NEXT…
The No. 5-seed Lady Railsplitters will take on host and No. 1-seed Anderson in the title game of the 2022 NCAA DII Southeast Regional Softball Championship tomorrow, Saturday, May 14. First pitch is scheduled for noon 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.