Harrogate, TN - Two days after downing #3 North Greenville in walk-off fashion, the Lincoln Memorial baseball team was back in action on Friday for game one of a three game weekend series against the Newberry Wolves; the last conference series of the regular season. Prior to Friday's match up, the Railsplitters came into game one with a 26-15 overall record with a 15-12 mark in conference play, sitting at seventh in the conference. The Wolves entered the game with an overall record of 21-22 with a 15-9 mark in conference play, sitting at fourth in the conference.
After some late game heroics against the #3 Crusaders in which he hit a walk-off home run on Wednesday, Lincoln Memorial's
Carson Boles set the program record for doubles in a single season, delivering his national best 24th double of the season during the game. Also with the win, head coach
Justin Haywood moved into fifth place all-time in career victories for a head coach with 95.
Friday's game started with the Wolves taking a quick 2-0 lead. However, the Railsplitters answered back emphatically, driving in five runs in the bottom of the inning.
Cameron Bowen connected on single to left field, driving in
Collin Goda and Boles, tying the game at 2-2. Alex Kowalksi then blasted an RBI triple to center field, driving in Bowen to give Lincoln Memorial its first lead of the game. The Railsplitters would never relinquish the lead.
Ryan Kurth kept the scoring going for Lincoln Memorial, driving in Kowalski with a single to left field.
Mitch Petzelt then drove in Kurth with a double to left field, seeing the Railsplitters maintain a 5-2 lead after one inning played. The game simmered for two innings before another run was scored. Newberry added one run in the top of the third inning to chip away at the Lincoln Memorial lead, 5-3. The Railsplitters held Newberry scoreless from then on while adding to their run total. Lincoln Memorial added two runs in the fifth and sixth innings, taking a 9-3 lead. In the bottom of the fifth,
Sam Mast blasted a solo missile to increase the lead to 6-3. Goda then singled to center field, driving in Petzelt, extending the lead to 7-3. Boles took advantage of a wild pitch in the bottom of the sixth, extending the lead to 8-3. Kurth then blasted a solo moon shot to extend the lead to 9-3, where it would remain until the final pitch.
Christian Pencek got the start from the bump, pitching six innings, allowing five hits, three runs, and two earned runs with two walks and six strikeouts.
Colin Murphy and
Carter White each saw time in relief.
NEW: 200 100 000 3 8 2
LMU: 500 022 00x 9 14 2
WP: Pencek (9-1)
LP: Marchesini (2-1)
