Asheboro, NC – With its back against the wall, facing elimination from the SAC Championship, the Lincoln Memorial baseball team was back in action against the Wingate Bulldogs in game two of the Championship Series on Saturday after falling in game one 11-4. A win by Lincoln Memorial would force a third, winner-take-all game for the SAC Championship.

The Bulldogs wasted no time in getting a quick jump on the Railsplitters. Wingate connected on two homers in the top of the first inning, a solo shot and a three-run shot, to take a 4-0 lead. After holding Lincoln Memorial scoreless through the first three innings, the Bulldogs took a 4-0 advantage into the fourth inning. Wingate added to its run total in the fourth inning, adding one run to increase its lead to 5-0.

The Bulldogs continued to hold the Railsplitters scoreless while extending their lead by the seventh inning.  Adding two runs in the top of the seventh inning, Wingate's lead swelled to 7-0. Lincoln Memorial failed to tally a run in the bottom of the inning, seeing the Bulldogs take back over on offense. With another run in the top of the eighth, the lead grew to 8-0.  The Railsplitters began to fight back in the bottom of the eighth, scoring their first run of the game when Cameron Bowen was walked with the bases loaded, seeing Mitch Petzelt cross the plate for the first run of the day for Lincoln Memorial, cutting the score to 8-1. However, it was all the Railsplitters could muster, retired with three runners left on base.

Wingate took over on offense in the top of the ninth, hoping to build on its lead to circumvent any possibility of a Lincoln Memorial comeback. The Bulldogs added their run total with a homer, taking a 9-1 lead heading into the final frame. Trailing by eighth, the deficit was just too much for the Railsplitters, seeing Wingate capture the SAC Championship, 9-1.

Eli Edds got the start from the mound, pitching 6.1 innings, allowing seven hits, six runs, and six earned runs with five walks and five strikeouts. David Brian Ellison pitched the final 2.2 innings, allowing five hits, three runs, and three earned runs with two walks and four strikeouts.

Lincoln Memorial now awaits its NCAA Tournament fate with the NCAA Selection Show at 10:30 on Sunday night.

WING: 400 100 211 9 12 0
LMU: 000 000 010 1 4 0

WP: Morton (4-3)
LP: Edds (7-6)