Newberry, SC -- The Lincoln Memorial baseball team opened a pivotal three-game conference series against Newberry on Friday by securing a gritty 4-3 victory. Both teams entered the match up with identical 17-10 overall records, though Newberry held a slight edge in the standings with a 12-3 conference mark compared to the 10-5 record held by the Railsplitters.
The contest remained a scoreless pitcher's duel through the first four innings as both starting rotations traded goose eggs. Newberry finally broke the deadlock in the bottom of the fifth inning when an infield single with two outs drove in the first run of the game. The Railsplitters responded immediately in the top of the sixth. Gabe Gray led off with a walk and Caleb Jordan followed with a bunt single. After Gray moved to third on an error, Brady Morse drove him home with a sacrifice fly to center field to tie the game. The rally continued as Alex Kowalski doubled to put two runners in scoring position, setting the stage for Brooks Hagedorn. Hagedorn delivered a clutch double to right center, scoring both Kowalski and Peyton Mullannix to give Lincoln Memorial a 3-1 lead.
The lead held until the bottom of the seventh when the Wolves utilized a hit batsman and a two-run triple to even the score at 3-3. Following the game-tying hit, Bradric Helton entered the game in relief of starter Payton Armour, who had provided a solid six and two-thirds innings of work. Helton escaped further damage in the seventh, allowing the Railsplitters to reclaim the momentum in the top of the eighth. With two outs and Alex Kowalski on second base following an error, pinch hitter Josh Marmo stepped to the plate and lined a single down the right field line. The base hit allowed Kowalski to cross the plate for the go-ahead run, moving the score to 4-3.
The final frame provided some drama as Newberry loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth through two hit batters and a walk. With the game on the line and only one out, the Lincoln Memorial defense remained composed. A fielder's choice resulted in a crucial out at home plate, and Bradric Helton sealed the win by striking out the final batter swinging. Helton earned the victory to improve his season record to 4-1, throwing two and a third innings of hitless relief. The Railsplitters will look to clinch the series win as the weekend double-header continues on Saturday with first pitch slated for 1 PM.
