Salisbury, NC -- The Lincoln Memorial baseball team secured a gritty opening round victory in the South Atlantic Conference Baseball Championship on Friday, defeating Mars Hill University 4-2 at the tournament site hosted by Catawba. Facing an early deficit after the Lions plated unearned runs in the first and second innings, the Railsplitters relied on timely power hitting and an exceptional performance from the bullpen to turn the tide. With the win, Lincoln Memorial advances in the bracket to face top-seeded Catawba on Saturday morning at 11 AM.
The offensive spark arrived in the top of the fourth inning when Brady Morse reached on a single to left field, setting the stage for Alex Kowalski. Kowalski delivered the biggest swing of the day, a two-run home run to center field that leveled the score at two runs apiece. The Railsplitters took their first lead of the contest in the fifth inning after Kevin Fernandez doubled to left and Ayden Jackson drove him home with a clutch single through the right side. Lincoln Memorial added a vital insurance run in the seventh inning when Fernandez struck again, lining a double to right center to score CJ Dugan. Fernandez finished the afternoon with a standout three-hit performance, while Jackson contributed two hits and an RBI to the winning effort.
On the mound, Dylan Maire provided a dominant relief appearance to earn his third victory of the season. Entering the game in the third inning, Maire silenced the Mars Hill bats over four and a third innings of work, allowing just three hits and zero runs while striking out seven batters. Easton Barnett took over in the eighth inning to close the door, conceding only one hit and striking out two over the final two frames to earn his fourth save of the year. The relief duo combined to strand eight Mars Hill runners over the final five innings, ensuring the Railsplitters moved one step closer to a conference title.
