Harrogate, TN -- In a highly anticipated rematch at Lamar Hennon Field, the Lincoln Memorial baseball team dropped a 10-8 decision to second-ranked North Greenville University on Tuesday. This contest marked the second meeting between the two programs this season, following a narrow 8-7 victory for the Railsplitters in early February. Despite out-hitting their opponents 16-10, Lincoln Memorial was unable to overcome several late-inning surges by the Trailblazers in a game that featured multiple lead changes.
The Railsplitters established an early advantage, scoring one run in the first and two in the second. Peyton Mullannix provided the first spark with an RBI groundout that scored Caleb Jordan, who had reached on a walk. In the second inning, Gabe Gray drove in Nick Kaelin with a single to center field, and Alex Kowalski later reached on an error that allowed Kevin Fernandez to cross the plate. Lincoln Memorial extended its cushion to 5-0 in the fourth inning when Brady Morse and Kaelin each credited an RBI to their stat lines through a single and a fielder's choice, respectively.
North Greenville began its comeback in the fifth inning, using a two-run home run and an RBI double to cut the deficit to 5-3. Lincoln Memorial briefly answered in the sixth when CJ Dugan drove home Mullannix with a sacrifice fly, making the score 6-3. However, the momentum shifted permanently in the seventh inning. Following a Lincoln Memorial error, the Trailblazers connected for a three-run home run to tie the game at 6-6. North Greenville then took its first lead in the eighth, scoring three runs on a wild pitch, an RBI single, and a sacrifice bunt to go ahead 9-6.
The Trailblazers added an insurance run in the top of the ninth following another defensive miscue, pushing the score to 10-6. Facing their final outs, the Railsplitters mounted a spirited rally. Kowalski ignited the crowd with a triple to left field and scored on a double by Mullannix. Morse followed immediately with an RBI double of his own to trim the lead to 10-8. With the tying run at the plate, North Greenville secured the final two outs on groundouts to end the threat.
Offensively, Lincoln Memorial was led by Morse, who finished 3-for-5 with two runs batted in, and Ayden Jackson, who also collected three hits. Caleb Jordan, Alex Kowalski, and Peyton Mullannix each recorded two hits in the effort. On the mound, Lucas Smith provided a strong start with three innings of one-hit baseball, while Dylan Maire tossed a perfect fourth inning. AJ Hootman was saddled with the loss in relief, and Bradric Helton covered the final two frames for the Railsplitters. Lincoln Memorial will look to bounce back as they host Wingate this weekend in its final home conference series of the regular season.
