Salisbury, NC -- The Lincoln Memorial baseball team displayed exceptional prowess on the mound Saturday during the second game of the South Atlantic Conference Baseball Championship but ultimately suffered a narrow 2-1 walk off defeat against the host and top-seeded Catawba Indians. This heartbreaking result followed a promising start to the tournament for the Railsplitters who secured a 4-2 victory in their opening game on Friday. The contest remained a defensive stalemate for the majority of the afternoon as the Lincoln Memorial pitching staff dominated the Catawba lineup holding the high powered offense scoreless through eight complete innings.
Adrian Smith turned in a masterful performance for the Railsplitters consistently silencing the Catawba bats throughout his tenure on the mound. Smith surrendered only five hits over eight and one third innings of work while striking out nine batters. His command was evident as he navigated high pressure situations including a bases loaded jam in the second inning and a leadoff single in the fourth which he quickly erased by inducing a crucial double play. Smith retired the side in order in the third and sixth innings and remained in control well into the late stages of the game showing remarkable efficiency and stamina.
Offensively the Railsplitters found success in the fourth inning to provide Smith with a lead. Caleb Jordan sparked the rally with a single to center field and later crossed the plate when Ronny Matti delivered a clutch RBI single to left field. Matti and Jordan both finished the day with two hits apiece contributing to a total of nine hits for the Lincoln Memorial offense. CJ Dugan also added a double to the effort while Gabe Gray, Brady Morse, and Peyton Mullannix each recorded hits to keep the pressure on the Catawba defense throughout the middle frames.
The game took a dramatic turn in the bottom of the ninth inning after Smith allowed a leadoff single and an intentional walk to load the bases. Bradric Helton entered in relief and managed to record a strikeout to bring the Railsplitters within one out of a victory. However, the Catawba Indians connected on a single through the left side that drove in two runs allowing the Indians to escape with the win. Despite the loss the Lincoln Memorial pitching staff finished the game with ten strikeouts and allowed only two earned runs proving they can compete with the top tier of the conference as the tournament continues. The Railsplitters await the conclusion of the Mars Hill-Coker game to find out who they will play for an attempt at a second chance at Catawba on Sunday.
