Harrogate, TN -- The Lincoln Memorial baseball team secured a thrilling walk-off victory in a midweek non-conference clash on Wednesday, defeating Trevecca Nazarene University 7-6. The Railsplitters entered the contest with an 8-7 overall record and a 4-2 mark in South Atlantic Conference play, facing a formidable Trojans squad that had won eight of its last nine games. Trevecca Nazarene arrived at the field with a 9-4 record and a dominant 5-1 standing in its own conference, but the Trojans could not withstand a final surge from the Railsplitters in the bottom of the ninth inning.
The game began with Trevecca Nazarene jumping out to an early lead in the top of the first, driving in two runs with a single to left field. Lincoln Memorial responded immediately and emphatically in the bottom half of the frame. After Gabe Gray walked and Caleb Jordan reached on a fielder's choice, Brady Morse doubled to left to bring home the first run. Aaron Hobson then singled in Morse to tie the game, followed by a two-run single from Nick Kaelin. Kevin Fernandez capped the five-run explosion with an RBI double to left field, giving the Railsplitters a 5-2 advantage after one.
Starting pitcher Dylan Maire provided stability for Lincoln Memorial through the middle innings, throwing four frames and allowing two runs on six hits. The Railsplitters extended their lead to 6-2 in the bottom of the fifth when Peyton Mullannix launched a solo home run 417-feet to centerfield. Trevecca began its comeback effort in the sixth with a solo shot, cutting the deficit to three. The Trojan bullpen kept the Lincoln Memorial bats quiet through the middle stages of the game to set up a dramatic final frame.
Trevecca rallied to tie the game in the top of the ninth inning against the Lincoln Memorial relief corps. After a lead-off single and a double put two runners in scoring position, the Trojans grounded out to bring home a run. They followed with an RBI single to bring Trevecca within one, and a subsequent wild pitch allowed the tying run to cross the plate. Lucas Smith entered the game in relief to record the final two outs of the ninth, striking out one batter and inducing a groundout to prevent the Trojans from taking the lead.
With the score knotted at 6-6 in the bottom of the ninth, Gray ignited the winning rally with a lead-off single to center field. Jordan executed a successful sacrifice bunt to move Gray into scoring position, and Mullannix drew a walk to put two runners on. Hobson then delivered the game-winning hit, a single to center field that drove in Gray and secured the 7-6 victory. Hobson finished the day with two hits and two runs batted in, while Mullannix reached base four times to lead the Railsplitters offensive effort. Smith earned the win on the mound as Lincoln Memorial improved its record heading into a weekend match up against Mars Hill.
