Railsplitters Sweep Virginia Intermont As Willis Breaks LMU Stolen Base Record

BRISTOL, VA – The Lincoln Memorial University baseball team improved t0 31-19 overall on Tuesday afternoon with 12-2 and 10-5 wins over Virginia Intermont College in Bristol, Virginia.

Although the victories put Lincoln Memorial over the thirty-win mark for the first time since the 2002 season, the games may have been overshadowed by the accomplishments of Lincoln Memorial University junior outfielder TeWayne Willis (Hazard, KY).

The 5’9” product of Perry County Central High School and Roane State Community College currently ranks 10^th nationally in NCAA Division II baseball in stolen bases per game but ranks 1^st nationally in stolen bases on the year with 40.

In the second inning of yesterday’s first game with Virginia Intermont, Willis broke the LMU stolen bases record of 39 set by former Railsplitter Chris Kline in 1997 to bring his season total to 40 this year.  Willis would have had his 40^th stolen base in the first inning, but the VI pitcher was called for a balk, thus nullifying the effort.

With a recently added game scheduled for Wednesday night with the University of Tennessee and a non-conference nine inning game with Carson-Newman on April 26, Willis and the Railsplitters have the opportunity to finish out the 2007 season with a bang.  However, the road will definitely be a tough one.  First pitch tonight against the Volunteers is set for 7:00 p.m. at Lindsey Nelson Stadium in Knoxville.