Railsplitters beat Peoria Notre
Dame 4-3 in walk-off
[May 08, 2026]
The Lincoln Railsplitters played through the rain and dark
gray skies on Thursday evening and they were rewarded with a 4-3
walk-off win in the bottom of the eighth inning over the Peoria
Notre Dame Irish.
The game was a pitcher’s duel through four and a half innings when
Lincoln finally broke through with three runs in the bottom of the
fifth inning.
The Komnick brothers, Kane and Karson, each walked with one out in
the fifth and after Austin Lucas was hit by a pitch to load the
bases, Grady Rutledge strutted to the plate. Rutledge was the
starting pitcher for the Railsplitters against the Irish and he had
the perfect opportunity to help himself. He immediately delivered
with a hit to right field on the first pitch. The Komnick boys raced
home as Lincoln claimed the first lead of the game. Rutledge did not
hesitate to steal second base as Lucas remained rested on third.
With the Notre Dame pitcher a little rattled, Lucas scored the third
run of the game on a passed ball. Rutledge was able to move to third
base but he was left stranded when the Railsplitters were retired on
a pop out to the catcher in foul territory and a fly ball to right
field.
Rutledge took the mound in the top of the sixth inning and after
walking the first two guys, he was relieved by Carson Fuiten.
Following a ground out that scored the first Irish run, the next two
batters hit a single and a triple back-to-back and that tied the
game 3-3.
The game remained tied until the bottom of the eighth inning.
With one out, Cooper Koehler walked. Kane Komnick followed with a
single to left as Koehler stopped at second. Karson Komnick was the
hero of tonight’s game, making contact on the 1-2 pitch and sending
it to short. The shortstop committed an error and Koehler was able
to race home with the winning run.
Carson Fuiten (4-3) earned the win in relief. Fuiten threw three
innings, giving up two hits and one run. He struck out two batters.
He threw 31 pitches and 23 were for strikes.
Fuiten now has 23 career wins in a Railsplitter baseball uniform.
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A rainbow can be seen in the distance on Thursday evening as the
Railsplitters played at Mike Curry Field. Photo by Teena Lowery
Grady Rutledge pitched terrific through five innings. It was the
sixth inning when Rutledge began to struggle and walk the first two
guys, leading to his exit from the mound. Rutledge walked four guys
total and struck out five. Rutledge threw 65 pitches and 40 were for
strikes.
Anthony LeFante took the loss for Peoria Notre Dame.
At the plate, Rutledge led the Railsplitters by going 2-for-3 with
two RBIs and a walk.
Austin Lucas, Bryce Vlahovich and Kane Komnick each had one hit for
Lincoln.
Lincoln (15-8) will host Clinton Friday at 4:30 p.m. at Mike Curry
Field.
[Teena Lowery]
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