Box Score HARROGATE, Tenn. – On Wednesday afternoon, the King University baseball team faced another one of the top teams in the southeast region in as many days when they traveled to Lincoln Memorial University. The Tornado fell behind early, but tried to dig their way out of the hole, cutting their deficit to just two runs in the seventh inning. However it wasn't enough as the Railsplitters took the contest 12-6.
Lincoln Memorial (24-18) got on the board with three runs in the second inning, two runs coming on a sacrifice fly and another on a run scoring single. The Railsplitter lead grew to 7-0 after they plated four runs in the fifth inning. Lincoln Memorial got two run scoring singles, and scored the other two runs on a wild pitch and a groundout.
However, the Tornado (21-24) chipped into their deficit in the sixth inning when Mark Michael singled through the right side to start the frame. Ryan O'Neal then laced his first career home run, getting the Tornado on the board. Joe Ganger then restarted the rally with a single and stole second before moving to third on a groundout. He later scored on a double steal, cutting the King deficit to 7-3.
After the Railsplitters tacked on a run in the bottom of the sixth, the King offense didn't slow down in the seventh as Forrest Haga drew a leadoff walk and advanced to third on a Micheal double down the left field line. The pair the scored on a Derrick Moore single through the left side. With runners on second and third, Brad Donathan rolled a single through the left side that scored one, and cut the deficit to 8-6. However, King couldn't push anymore runs across in the inning.
Lincoln Memorial added a run in the seventh before Kelvin Brito ripped a three-run home run in the eighth inning, extending their lead to 12-6. The Tornado couldn't get the offense going in the ninth inning as the Railsplitters took the win.
O'Neal went 2-for-5 at the plate, driving in a pair and scoring one to lead the King offense. Moore also accounted two runs batted in while going 3-for-4 and Michael chipped in with a 2-for-5 performance, scoring twice. Grant Boyd earned the start on the mound, giving up seven runs, two earned in five innings pitched.
King will be in action again this weekend when the host Southern Wesleyan University in the Conference Carolinas regular season finale. The series is slated to start with a doubleheader on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. and conclude with Senior Day on Friday at 3:00 p.m.
