Romanda Noble-Watson, SID
Orangeburg, S.C.—The Claflin University baseball team split its 2015 season opening doubleheader with Lincoln Memorial, dropping Game One 5-7 and winning Game Two 5-4. The Railsplitters, who has already played five games on the season, is now 1-4 overall. Prior to Game One, Claflin University President, Dr. Henry N. Tisdale, threw out the ceremonial first pitch signaling the start of the season.
Claflin got on the board first in Game One, scoring two runs in the first inning. Lincoln Memorial responded with three runs in the top of the third. The Panthers scored two runs in its half of the second to regain game a one run advantage. Both teams put up one run in the fourth and the Railsplitters put two additional runs in the sixth and one in the seventh en route to the 5-7 Game One victory.
Claflin President Dr. Henry N. Tisdale Throws Out Ceremonial First Pitch
Claflin appeared to have gained the momentum heading into Game Two of the doubleheader. The Panthers put up three runs in the bottom of the third and one in the bottom of the second to take a commanding 4-0 lead in the contest. Lincoln Memorial scored one run in the fourth and two in the fifth to pull within one run heading in the middle of the sixth. The Railsplitters held the Panthers scoreless in the sixth and scored one run in the top of the seventh to tie the game at 4-all to steal the momentum of the game. Lincoln Memorial came within one run of forcing the game into extra innings, but the Panthers remained poised. After seeing its first two batters retired to the dugout, Claflin placed its next three batters on base, two via hit by pitch and one via an intentionally walk which loaded the bases and forced the Railsplitters into a pitching change. The pitching changed proved to be ineffective as the next batter, Jesse Minter walked in the winning run, thus giving the Panthers the 5-4 win.
Rashad Bivens led the Panthers on the day as he recorded two runs with three hits (including two homeruns, one in each game) with five RBI’s. Dalton Tresvant was the loser of Game One while Anthony Ford was the winning pitcher of record in Game Two.
Lincoln Memorial was led by Jean Rodriguez who had five runs with three hits. Logan Augustine picked up the win in Game One and Carson Taylor was the losing pitcher in Game Two for the Railsplitters.