Railsplitters defeat Jacksonville 8-5

[May 26, 2021]  Lincoln traveled to Jacksonville on Monday afternoon to take on The Crimson. The Railsplitters picked up an 8-5 victory with Andrew Graue getting the win.

Graue tossed four and one-third innings in relief, giving up five hits and striking out one batter while allowing two walks.

Aiden Nemeth started the game for Lincoln. Nemeth went two and two-thirds innings, giving up five runs on six hits.

Trent Koehler put the Railsplitters on the board in the first inning with a home run over the left field fence.

The Railsplitters plated three runs in the top of the third inning. Koehler singled to right field to start the inning. Keagan Ferguson reached base on a bunt single to third. After a fielder’s choice by Tanner Strampp, Sean Raffa walked and the bases were loaded for Lucas Konczyk. Konczyk hit a single to left to score Ferguson. Trey Schilling drew a walk to drive in Strampp, the bases remained loaded for Patrick McCraith. McCraith singled to right and Raffa came racing home. The Railsplitters were on top 4-0.

After two quick outs in the bottom of the third inning, The Crimson scored five runs to take a 5-4 lead. An RBI single by Nolan Decker scored the first run. Drew Ezard hit a two-run home run to left field off Nemeth and The Crimson were making it a ballgame. A passed ball tied the game. An RBI single by Quin Saxer gave Jacksonville the 5-4 lead.

Ferguson hit a one-out double in the top of the fourth inning and the Railsplitters were looking to score again. With two outs, Raffa walked. Konczyk then doubled home Ferguson and Raffa. Trey Schilling added a double to score Konczyk and the Railsplitters took over with a 7-5 lead.

Lincoln added a run in the top of the seventh inning. McCraith hit a single to center, and the courtesy runner, Daulton Miller, scored when The Crimson committed an error on a fly ball hit by Dylan Singleton.

The Crimson had runners at first and second in the bottom of the seventh inning when the game ended on a grounder back to Graue on the pitcher’s mound.

The Railsplitters held on for the 8-5 win.

Lincoln had 10 hits in the game.

Keagan Ferguson was 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Lucas Konczyk was 2-for-4 with three RBIs and one run scored. Patrick McCraith was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Trent Koehler was 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored. Trey Schilling was 1-for-2 with two RBIs.

Lincoln improved to 15-6 on the season.

[Teena Lowery]