Railsplitters blank Cardinals 10-0 behind no-hitter 

[March 16, 2022]  Baseball is back! 

The Lincoln Railsplitters kicked off their 2022 season under beautiful skies on Tuesday afternoon at Mike Curry Field in Lincoln. With Wyatt Mammen and Trent Koehler combining for the no-hitter and striking out 13 batters, Lincoln blanked the Warrensburg-Latham Cardinals 10-0 on opening day of the high school baseball season. 

The Railsplitters offense also came through, with Alex Hoffert leading the way for Lincoln with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate. Hoffert’s three hits included a single, double and a triple. He batted in two runs and scored twice. Sean Raffa was 2-for-4 for Lincoln, with two runs scored and an RBI. Daulton Miller and Andrew Graue also had hits for Lincoln.

Wyatt Mammen started the game for Lincoln. The sophomore right-hander escaped a threat in the first inning, as he walked three batters but also struck out three batters. 

 Wyatt Mammen started the game for Lincoln and struck out 10 Cardinals.

The Railsplitters offense in the bottom of the first inning was started by a lead-off single up the middle by Daulton Miller. After a successful bunt single by Sean Raffa, the no. 3 hitter Trent Koehler drew a walk to load the bases. A sacrifice fly by Trey Schilling allowed Miller to score the first run of the season. Raffa would score Lincoln’s second run on a wild pitch. A single by Alex Hoffert would make the score 3-0. Andrew Graue and Jaden Klopp each drew walks to load the bases again, this time for Drew Eimer. Eimer was hit by a pitch, forcing in another Railsplitter run. With Miller in the batter’s box again, he drew a walk and the Lincoln lead was 5-0. This chased the Cardinals starting pitcher from the mound with only two outs recorded. Raffa struck out to end the first inning, but a five-run first inning is always a good sign for the home team.

Mammen was dealing from the mound in the second inning. The flame-throwing sophomore struck out the side 1-2-3 and the Lincoln defense was quickly running back into the dugout to grab bats. 

Trey Schilling had an RBI sacrifice fly for the Railsplitters versus the Cardinals.

Koehler walked and stole second base to start the second inning for Lincoln. Koehler dashed to third on a sacrifice fly by Schilling and he would come around to score easily on a triple crushed to deep left-center by Hoffert. Lincoln’s lead was 6-0 and remained that way when the inning ended. Hoffert was left stranded at third with Graue and Jake Baker retired to end the inning. 

Mammen recorded two more strikeouts and a ground out to send the Cardinals back to the dugout scoreless in the top of the third inning.

Raffa’s RBI single in the bottom of the third inning extended the Railsplitters lead to 7-0. After Koehler was hit by a pitch and Schilling walked, the Railsplitters pulled off the double-steal and Raffa came racing home to make the score 8-0. Hoffert grounded out to the shortstop to end the inning.

High School baseball is back and the Railsplitters are ready!

Mammen recorded two more strikeouts in the fourth inning. Despite loading the bases on two hit by pitches and a walk, the young flame-thrower escaped the inning again without any runs allowed. 

The Railsplitters changed pitchers to start the top of the fifth inning. Koehler took the mound and retired the side on line-drive caught by the shortstop Graue, a grounder fielded by Graue and a quick three pitches to end the inning on a strikeout. 

Koehler struck out two more batters in the Cardinals sixth  inning and after walking one batter, he retired the red birds on a fielder’s choice, keeping the no-hitter intact.

The Railsplitters plated two more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Hoffert’s lead-off double and following walk to Graue put Lincoln in a position to add to their lead and end the game a little bit early. Klopp also walked to load the bases and with Eimer up to bat, the Railsplitters were looking to end the game. Eimer came through with a fielder’s choice to the shortstop, meanwhile both Hoffert and Graue raced home to score the game-ending runs. 

Trent Koehler scored twice and walked twice versus Warrensburg-Latham.

Lincoln’s 10-0 no-hitter in six innings was a really nice way to start the season with a win. 

Wyatt Mammen (1-0) earned the win for Lincoln. 

Mammen tossed the first four innings, striking out 10 batters and walking four. He was very impressive in his first start of the season. Trent Koehler’s two innings in relief were also impressive. Koehler struck out three batters and walked just one. 

Lincoln Railsplitters Coach August Casson thought the first game went well for the Railsplitters, who have really been putting in the hard work in the offseason. 

“I thought our pitchers competed and threw the ball well,” said Casson. “Our defense made the plays when we needed them. I think our bats came alive at the right time. It was a good start and our players have put in a lot of time and effort this offseason, not only at open gyms but also in the weight room. Alex Hoffert had a big game at the plate. There were a lot of good at-bats tonight. It’s the first game, so it’s early, but so far the guys are responding well and competing. That’s all I can ask for.” 

Lincoln will play Sacred Heart-Griffin on Monday, March 21, 2022 in Springfield. That game will start at 4:30 p.m. 

The Railsplitters will return to Mike Curry Field on Tuesday, March 22, 2022 versus Williamsville.

Congratulations, Railsplitters! 

[Teena Lowery]