HARROGATE, Tenn. - - Host Lincoln Memorial built an 8-0 lead after two innings of play and that proved crucial as the Railsplitters held off a late UVA Wise rally to claim a 9-8 non-conference baseball victory at Lamar Hennon Field Wednesday.

LMU (14-6) scored five times in the opening inning as Andrew Keene and Ryan Kurth each had two-run doubles in the big frame. An inning later, the Railsplitters plated three runs when Keene singled in a pair and Tyler Boyd was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

UVA Wise (9-17) got on the board when Cole Harness' RBI groundout scored DJ Dickson in the fourth.

In the home sixth, LMU pushed the lead back to eight at 9-1 when Keene stole third before coming around to score on an error.

The Cavaliers would mount a furious comeback bid in the eighth. Hunter Meador knocked in a pair before Justin Reed and Morgan Miller were both struck by a pitch with the bases loaded to make it a 9-5 affair.

Jacob Boyle would continue the streak of getting hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to make it 9-6 before Reed scored on a passed ball to cut the lead to two at 9-7.

Dickson then stepped to the plate. The outfielder laced a single to left field allowing Miller to score but Boyle would be thrown out by Chris Hall for the final out of the inning, preserving a 9-8 advantage for the 'Splitters.

UVA Wise would get the tying run to second in the ninth but David Ellison would get out of the jam to record the win for the hosts.

Meador (3) and Gavin Birkhimer (2) combined for five of the Cavs' seven hits while Dickson scored two runs.

Keene finished 3-for-4 with three runs and four RBI for LMU in the win.

UVA Wise will return to league play this weekend when Newberry visits Stallard Field for a three-game set.