Harrogate, TN- Head Coach Ritchie Richardson earned his 200th win at the helm of the LMU softball program on the Saturday slate of the Abe's Invitational. The team would compete in two games on the day, winning borh in five innings, the first over Clarion 12-4, and the second against Bloomsburg by a score of 13-5.

The Lady Splitters would earn Richardson his milestone win in dominant fashion through a five inning run rule. Their cleats were made for walking, and that's exactly what they did in the first game, taking 14 free bases via Clarion pitching in the contest. LMU would take advantage of the base runners. The Golden Eagles would score first with two runs in the first inning but would quickly be answered in the bottom of the second. LMU would plate three runs in the frame thanks to hits from Hannah McMeen and Reese Vivrette. The team would crack open the lead in the bottom of the third, Gracie Palmer clearing a bases loaded situation to cross three more. Another hit from Vivrette (scoring Palmer) and a walk from Nicole Couvertierre would set the stage for Hanna Bogoski to go yard for a three run homer to extend the lead to 10-2. Clarion would try to make up the difference with two more runs in the top of the fourth, but Couvertierre would hit an RBI double to put the team back up by seven. Solid defense would open up the bottom of the fifth for Madison Henry to knock in Sterre den Duijn in yet another bases loaded circumstance to give the Railsplitters the eight run lead needed to end the game. Margot van Eijl would pitch the complete game to get the win, improving her record back to 5-5 on the season. 

LMU would remain smart at the plate for game two, drawing 11 more walks in the matchup. A couple of early errors would aid in Bloomsburg striking first in the latter game, scoring two in the first inning. Again it would be the bottom of the second where the Lady Splitters would find their groove and answer with two of their own, thanks to a sacrifice fly from Jordann Reagan and Madison Henry stealing home. One more run from BU would face RBI hits from Bogoski, Reagan, and Palmer in the bottom half of the frame to help plate five. Bloomsburg would not stop forcing the cause, however, as they would shrink the lead to make the game 7-5. Lincoln Memorial would take matters into their own hands in the bottom half of the inning, using free bases from the Husky pitching staff alongside Bogoski, den Duijn, and Pozzuto RBI hits to score six and end the game after five innings by run rule. The victory will be the third for freshman Katie Fultz

The Railsplitters will have a quick turnaround, returning to action tomorrow, Sunday, February 24th, for two more games at Dorothy Neely Field in Abe's Invitational at 2 PM and 4 PM.