March 29, 2009

HARROGATE, Tenn. - Mars Hill and Lincoln Memorial split a doubleheader Sunday afternoon. The Railsplitters came from behind to take an 8-5 win in the first game, while Mars Hill held off the Lincoln Memorial in extra inning of game two to come away with a 4-3 win. The Lions are now 18-16 overall and 6-7 in the SAC. The Railsplitters are 24-13 overall and 5-8 in the SAC.

The Lions took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning of the opening game on a RBI double down the left field line by Devin Presnell (Boone, N.C.) and a RBI single to right center by Mike Kitt (West Islip, N.Y.).

Mars Hill's lead stood until the bottom of the second inning when the Railsplitters capitalized in their second appearance at the plate with a solo homerun by Ralph Rosas (Bayamon, Puerto Rico) to left center field, a ground out RBI to short by Shane Kaufman (Miramar, Fla.) and an infield RBI single by Bryon Izzo (Miramar, Fla.).

Leading 3-2 going into the top of the third inning, the Railsplitters couldn't hold the Lions at bay in their third at-bat. Kitt scored when Corry DiBiase (Orlando, Fla.) grounded into a double play to tie the game at 3-3.

Both teams went scoreless until the top of the fifth. Mars Hill regained the lead on a two run single by DiBiase.

In the bottom of the fifth, Lincoln Memorial struck with five runs. A two run double down the left field line by Cody Pack (Andersonville, Tenn.), a RBI single by Rosas through the left side and a two run double to left field by Eric Kitts (Blaine, Tenn.) were the tools the Railsplitters used to capture the come-from-behind victory.

Lincoln Memorial's Sean Woolard (Parker, Colo.) got the win to improve to 4-4 on the year, while Railsplitter Jeff Ludlow (Palm Harbor, Fla.) picked up the save.

Woolard pitched five innings, allowing five earned runs on 10 hits with two walks while striking out two batters. Ludlow closed the door in the final two innings to grab his second save of the season. Ludlow allowed only two Lion hits while recording three strikeouts.

For Mars Hill, Justin Hall (Martinsville, Va.) was the losing pitcher. Hall got the start and lasted four and two-third innings but allowed eight runs on nine hits with one strikeout.

The second game got started as a near carbon-copy of the afternoon's first game. Mars Hill took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Presnell stole home and DiBiase hit a RBI single to right center field.

Lincoln Memorial got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the second inning. Kaufman hit a RBI ground out to cut the deficit to 2-1 in favor of the Lions.

In the top of the seventh inning, several Lincoln Memorial errors allowed the Lions to extend their at-bat and eventually get their third run of the game. A RBI single by DiBiase increased the Mars Hill advantage to 3-1.

In the bottom of the inning, the Railsplitters scored the tying two runs on RBI singles by Izzo and Tommy Casto (Deerfield Beach, Fla.).

Mars Hill wasted no time in getting a run across the plate in the top of the eighth. Brandon Savoca's (Riegelwood, N.C.) single to right center field was enough score teammate Kris Torrance (P. Jefferson Station, N.Y.) from second. The Lions stopped the Lincoln Memorial effort at the plate cold in the bottom of the inning for the win.

Mars Hill's Thomas White (Irmo, S.C.) picked up the win to move to 3-1 on the year. White allowed two hits and a walk in one inning of work. Jason Kennell (Charlotte, N.C.) got the save and allowed no runs on no hits in one-third of an inning pitched.

Lincoln Memorial's Josh Strawn (Bradenton, Fla.) suffered only his second loss of the season to fall to 5-2 on the year. Strawn threw a complete game for the Railsplitters but gave up four runs on nine hits with two walks while striking out nine.

The Lions will host Brevard for a doubleheader Tuesday at Henderson Field. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.

Boxscore...

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