Lady Splitters Shock Carson-Newman

JEFFERSON CITY, TN – Wednesday afternoon’s double-header split with Carson-Newman may have been a shock to Lady Eagle fans but not to Lincoln Memorial University Head Coach Dan Burns.  The LMU women lost their first game to Carson-Newman 7-1 but rebounded to win game-two 7-2 to spit the series in the only meeting between the two schools this season.    

In his twelfth season at the helm of the Lady Railsplitter program, Burns has been around the game of softball long enough to know his team’s potential.  “We knew we could play with them,” said Burns.  “Carson-Newman has a good team, but we have played a strong schedule and have beaten some quality opponents this year.  We’re looking forward to being eligible to compete for the South Atlantic Conference Championship next season and we wanted to send a message to our biggest rival.”

Although Carson-Newman isn’t nationally ranked in the latest NFCA poll that was released March 21, the Lady Eagles do boast a season record of 24-6 and Wednesday’s loss to Lincoln Memorial was their first at home this year.  LMU on the other hand improved to 21-12-1 with the split against the Lady Eagles and is on pace to possibly break the school record for most wins in a season with 25 games remaining on the regular season schedule.

Despite the fact that the Lady Railsplitter softball team won’t be eligible to compete in the South Atlantic Conference Tournament this year, LMU is eligible for post season play through the NCAA regional tournament process.  In order to make the post season tournament, the Lady Splitters must take care of business for the remainder of their regional schedule and hope the regional committee deems them one of the top four teams.

The Lady Railsplitters now have the remainder of this week to enjoy their spring break and to prepare for their March 28 road double-header with nearby King College.  The meeting with King will be the first time the two schools have played each other this season and is set to get underway at 2:00 p.m. in Bristol, Tennessee.