Harrogate, TN -- "Two up, two down" is a common expression used in the game of baseball. It also applies to the Lincoln Memorial baseball teams two first conference series of the season. After defeating Carson-Newman two games to one last weekend, the Lincoln Memorial baseball team staged a resilient Saturday comeback, sweeping a doubleheader against Emory & Henry to claim the weekend series two games to one. Claiming its second consecutive series of the season. After dropping the series opener on Friday, the Railsplitters found their rhythm, outslugging the Wasps 11-6 in the first game before clinching the series with a 6-5 victory in the nightcap.
In the first game of the twin bill, the Railsplitters utilized a relentless fifteen-hit attack to even the series. After a quiet start, Lincoln Memorial broke the game open in the third inning when Caleb Jordan delivered a two-RBI double. Seth Newkirk and Kevin Fernandez added to the lead in the fourth by launching back-to-back solo home runs to center and left field. The offense continued to roll in the fifth as CJ Dugan and Aaron Hobson drove in runs, followed by a Newkirk RBI single that pushed the lead to 8-3. Gabe Gray and Brady Morse each recorded three hits in the effort, while relief pitcher Lucas Smith earned the win by allowing only one run over two and two-thirds innings. Merrick Graham and Gavin Zoeller combined to finish the game, ensuring the Wasps could not close the gap.
The series finale proved to be a more tightly contested affair, defined by a fast start and a dramatic finish. Lincoln Memorial jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the second inning, highlighted by a three-run home run from Nick Kaelin and an RBI single from Kevin Fernandez. While the Wasps managed to chip away at the deficit and eventually tied the game 5-5 during a three-run seventh inning, the Railsplitters responded. In the top of the ninth, Fernandez singled and eventually scored the go-ahead run to put the Railsplitters back on top, claiming the victory after retiring the side in the bottom of the inning.
The pitching staff played a crucial role in securing the sweep during the second game. Jack Santi provided a major boost out of the bullpen, striking out seven batters over four and a third innings of work. Bradric Helton earned the win with a dominant closing performance, throwing two hitless innings and striking out six of the eight batters he faced to stifle the Wasps' final hopes. Brady Morse, Aaron Hobson, and Fernandez each tallied two hits in the finale to lead the offense.
The Railsplitters now look to carry this momentum forward after successfully rebounding from an early series deficit to take two out of three games from the Wasps.
