Harrogate, TN - Following two come-from-behind victories in games one and two of the three game home opening series with Quincy University, the Lincoln Memorial baseball team fell in the third and final game of the series  with the Hawks,   _-_ on Sunday in Harrogate.

The Railsplitters made quick work of the Hawks in the top of the first inning, retiring the first three batters without any damage done. With Alex Kowalski finding his way to first base via walk, Sam Mast drove in Kowalski with a single to left field to give Lincoln Memorial and early 1-0 lead. Unable to add to the lead, Lincoln Memorial once again stood tall on defense in the top of the second inning, once again retiring three straight batters in succession, taking over on offense. However, Quincy returned the favor, retiring three straight batters. The Hawks' bats woke up in the top of the third, adding four runs on three hits and an error by the Railsplitters to take a 4-1 lead heading into the bottom of the third inning. Lincoln Memorial added a run in the bottom of the inning when Chris Hall blasted a solo shot over the left field wall, cutting the deficit to 4-2. The Railsplitters were unable to chip away any further, deferring the offense back to the Hawks, trailing 4-2 heading into the fourth inning.

Quincy added to its run total in the top of the fourth with an RBI double to extend its lead to 5-2 heading into the bottom of the fourth inning. Lincoln Memorial was unable to add to its run total in the fourth inning, seeing the Hawks take a 5-2 advantage into the fifth inning. The Railsplitters defense got back to work and held the Hawks scoreless in the top of the fifth, trailing 5-2 heading into the bottom of the inning. Quincy's defense maintained strength, once again holding the Railsplitters off the board to take a 5-2 lead into the top of the sixth inning. Payton Armour took the bump in the top of the sixth inning to pitch in relief for Colin Murphy. After allowing a double on the first at-bat of the inning, Armour struck out the next three batters in succession to send the Hawks back to defense leading 5-2. Both offenses remained stagnant with neither adding a run in the fifth or sixth innings, allowing Quincy to maintain a 5-2 edge heading into the seventh inning.

The Hawks extended the lead to 6-2 with a home run in the top of the seventh. The score remained 6-2 heading into the eighth after the Railsplitters were unable to add to the run total in the seventh inning. The Lincoln Memorial defense held Quincy off the board in the seventh inning and trailed 6-2 heading into the bottom of the eighth. The Railsplitters were able to chip into the Hawks' lead when Trace Simmons drove in Kasten Harvey with a single to right field, cutting the deficit to three runs late in the game, 6-3. However, the score would remain 6-3 in favor of Quincy heading into the final frame with the Hawks seeking to extend their lead after having fallen in back-to-back comeback efforts in the first two games of the series. Quincy was unable to to add to its lead, leaving Lincoln Memorial within striking distance, 6-3. With two outs and Brooks Hagedorn and Hall on base, Harvey was walked to load the bases, seeing Kowalski step to the plate representing the game-winning run. Hagedorn scored a run on a wild pitch to cut the lead to 6-4 before Hall did the same to cut the deficit to one run, 6-5. However, Quincy was able to punch the last out and secure the 6-5 victory, seeing Lincoln Memorial fall just short of its third consecutive come-from-behind victory.

Chris Hall led the Railsplitters on the sticks, tallying two hits and one RBI, including a home run. Trace Simmons added two hits and an RBI as well. Sam Mast added one RBI on one hit.

Colin Murphy got the nod on the bump for Lincoln Memorial, pitching 5.0 innings, allowing seven hits, five runs, and four earned with one walk and six strikeouts. Payton Armour pitched 2.0 innings in relief, allowing two hits, one run, and one earned with no walks and five strikeouts. Carter White pitched the final 2.0 innings, allowing one hit, no runs, and none earned with one walk and three strikeouts.

With the loss, the Railsplitters moved to 4-4 on the season and will be back on the diamond on Tuesday at home against Bluefield State with first pitch slated for 3 PM.

LMU: 101 000 012 5 6 1
QU: 004 100 100 6 10 0
 
LMU: Murphy, Armour, and White
QU: Draeger, Mueller, Golden, Kelliher, Collins, and Manship.

WP: Draeger (1-0)
LP: Murphy (0-1)