GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – UVA Wise softball fell 6-2 to No. 7 Lincoln Memorial University Friday afternoon in the quarterfinals of the 2021 South Atlantic Conference tournament at Red Edmonds Field.

LMU (35-5) pushed across two runs in the bottom of the first to gain an early lead over UVA Wise (17-19-1). A one-out single up the middle by Madison Henry and a Cavalier throwing error put runners on second and third as the Railsplitters looked to score. Emma Webb's two-RBI single on the next at bat sent home Henry and Sierra Hucklebee with a fly out and strike out ending the frame.

LMU scored another run in the bottom of the second to increase the Railsplitter lead. Bella Buccellato reached on a fielder's choice with Kelsie Tuggle out at second on the play after Tuggle singled to right center on the previous at bat. Buccellato stole second before scoring on a Ty-Kella Goins double to left center to go ahead 3-2. The Railsplitters recorded one more hit in the frame, but UVA Wise would get another out at second to close out the inning.

The Cavs put their first run on the board in the top of the fourth. With one out, senior Kaylee Jones doubled down the left field line before a double off the bat of senior Katie Russell scored Jones to cut the margin, 3-1.

The Railsplitters registered two more hits in the home half of the fourth, but nothing would come of it as they held on to a two run lead.

UVA Wise plated one more in the top of the fifth after a leadoff walk for freshman Sarah Barrett and a sacrifice bunt by freshman Jenna McDermott advanced Barrett to second. Senior Casey Chambers' RBI double to right center drove in Barrett to trail the Railsplitters by just one, 3-2, heading into the bottom of the inning.

Back-to-back walks put two on for LMU with runners advancing to second and third on a sacrifice bunt by McKenzie Henry. With two out, Buccellato's single up the middle plated Grace Cochran and Victoria Mounce to extend the margin to three runs. A stolen base and passed ball put Buccellato on third as she scored an unearned run on Goins' single to second base for a 6-2 Railsplitter advantage.

Senior Alexis Miles sent a two-out double down the left field line in the top of the sixth, but would be left stranded going into the bottom of the inning as LMU held on for the win.

LMU's Emma Frost (17-2) earned the win in the circle as she scattered four hits and struck out nine in a complete game effort.

Raychel Lapallo fell to 8-8 to close out the campaign as she yielded 11 hits and fanned five across six innings of work in the circle.

Co-Head coaches Karen and Nick Bitter's squad will return to action next spring.