Sheley's walk-off gives Lincoln Railsplitters regional win over Clinton

[May 26, 2017]  The Lincoln Railsplitters won in dramatic fashion Thursday evening at Mike Curry Field thanks to first baseman Cole Sheley’s heroics.

With the score tied at 5-5 in the bottom of the seventh inning the stage was set for the home team. Third baseman Austin Newton singled to start the bottom of the seventh inning. Jack Eimer immediately entered the game to pinch run for Newton.

Whoa Nelly! Not so fast! Third baseman Austin Newton applies the tag on a Maroons' player in a rundown in the top of the seventh inning.

A balk by the Maroons’ pitcher allowed Eimer to take second base.

Jack Konczyk then laid down a successful sacrifice bunt to advance Eimer to third base. The stage was now set for Sheley to be the hero.

Sheley's hard-hit single allowed Eimer to come trotting home with the winning run.

The Railsplitters never trailed in the game but the Maroons did give them a bit of a scare late in the contest.

Lincoln took a 2-0 lead over Clinton in the second inning. Brendan Eigenbrod’s RBI single with two outs in the inning accounted for one of the runs.

Lincoln also scored a run in the third inning.

The Maroons got on the board with two runs in the fifth inning.

Lincoln added runs in the fifth and sixth innings, extending their lead to 5-2 over the Maroons.


Nate Arnold picked up the win in relief versus Clinton in the Regional Semifinal. 

A Clinton rally resulted in three runs scored off reliever Nate Arnold in the top of the seventh inning.

Thanks to Sheley, Arnold and the Railsplitters picked up the 6-5 win.

Arnold threw two and one-third innings for Lincoln, giving up three runs on four hits while striking out three batters and issuing one walk.

Colton Holliday was the starter for Lincoln. Holliday pitched four and two-thirds innings, allowing two runs on one hit and striking out four batters.

Lincoln’s offense consisted of hits by Newton, Konczyk, Sheley, Eigenbrod, Preston Ebelherr, Andrew Yount and Noah Funk.

Lincoln will play Chatham Glenwood Saturday at 11 a.m. in the Class 3A Regional Championship at Mike Curry Field.

Chatham Glenwood defeated Taylorville 2-0 Wednesday night to advance to the championship matchup with Lincoln.

Cole Sheley is congratulated by teammates following the Railsplitters 6-5 walk-off win over Clinton. Sheley singled in the bottom of the seventh inning, driving in the winning run over Clinton. 

[Teena Lowery]