HICKORY, N.C. - The Lenoir-Rhyne baseball team picked up a split with Lincoln Memorial on Friday, dropping the opener 17-8 before rebounding to take game two 8-0.
Kellen Gradisar was fantastic in game two, allowing just one hit and throwing 60 pitches in the seven inning victory.
Lenoir-Rhyne will celebrate their seniors tomorrow prior to their game vs. LMU. The senior ceremony is scheduled for 12:20 p.m.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Game One Final: Lincoln Memorial 17, Lenoir-Rhyne 8
Game Two Final: (RV) Lenoir-Rhyne 8, Lincoln Memorial 0
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (34-11-1, 22-9-1 SAC), Lincoln Memorial (28-20, 19-13 SAC)
Location: Hickory, N.C. | Durham Field
STORY OF GAME ONE:
- The Railsplitters broke open the game with a seven-run fourth inning.
- Lenoir-Rhyne came back with five runs in the bottom of the inning, highlighted by a 3-run home run from Lleyton Lackey.
- Mackenzie Wainwright cut the lead to one with an RBI double in the fifth.
- Lincoln Memorial scored eight over the final two innings to pull away.
- Conor Linkfield was 3-for-4 with two runs scored while Seth Christmas was 3-for-5 with two RBIs.
- The Bears out hit the Railsplittesr 15-14 but also walked 12 batters.
- Paul Toovalian (4-2) suffered the loss.
STORY OF GAME TWO:
- Lenoir-Rhyne scored four in the third and four in the sixth.
- Seth Christmas was responsible for six runs, going 2-for-4 with five RBIs and two runs scored.
- One of those hits was a 2-run home run in the third.
- Kellen Gradisar (7-4) went the distance, allowing just one hit in the seven-inning shutout victory.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
- Lenoir-Rhyne clinched the three seed and will travel to Wingate for the first round of the SAC tournament.
- The Bears are looking for their first series win over Lincoln Memorial since 2022.
- Trent Murchison now has 38 walks on the season, tying Craig Sizemore for 10th all-time.
UP NEXT: The Bears will be back tomorrow for a solo game at 1:00 p.m. The Bears will honor their nine seniors with a celebration beginning at 12:20 p.m. on the field.