DUE WEST, S.C. – The Erskine College baseball team (7-6) was defeated by Lincoln Memorial University (9-2) by a score of 7-3 at Grier Field on Tuesday afternoon.

THE ESSENTIALS 
Conf. Carolinas Standings | Stats | Scores
Div. II Scores | Record Book | CC Digital Network
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Following a long 11-game road trip for the Fleet, Erskine finally returned home for what looked to be a high-octane matchup between two explosive offenses. And the Fleet wasted no time getting out to an early lead, jumping on the Lincoln Memorial starter. After a one-out single from Wilmis Castro, Christian Rivera drew a walk and then Dale Francis, Jr. singled home Castro in his first at-bat in a week to give Erskine an early 1-0 lead. Jorge Pascual worked a walk to load the bases and Ben Maskin was hit by a pitch, bringing home Rivera to double the lead. Moments later, Jude Littrell drove in the third run of the inning for the Fleet with a sacrifice fly as Erskine led 3-0 after an inning. However, LMU responded in the next two frames, as a home run in the top of the second and a two-run single in the third tied the game at 3. After a red hot start where Erskine hit around in the opening frame, the Fleet continued to create scoring chances but were unable to regain the lead. Starting pitcher Noah Palmese really settled after the Railsplitters tied the game, working six impressive innings and turning in a quality start against a dynamic offense. Ira Clifton relieved Palmese and kept the game tied after 7 innings, and Nick Hyde did the same with a scoreless top of the eighth. However, LMU eventually delivered the punishing blow, a grand slam in the ninth inning as they escaped Due West with a win.

THE PLAYER
Junior starting pitcher Noah Palmese did not factor into the decision but provided his best start of his young Erskine career. Palmese pitched six innings and allowed just four hits and three runs against an LMU offense that came into the day averaging over nine runs per game. The right-hander totaled five strikeouts, and finished his start with a bang, allowing just a single and a walk after the visitors tied the game in the third inning.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Erskine goes back on the road this weekend and will be the first opponent for No. 16 Young Harris College (9-1) in Conference Carolinas play with a three-game series that begins Friday at 5 p.m. This will be the first meeting between the Fleet and the conference-newcomer Mountain Lions.

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