HARROGATE, Tenn. – Maryville University Softball opened the 2023 season with a split at the Lincoln Memorial Tournament on Saturday afternoon. The Saints picked up their first win of the season behind Emersen Heron's complete game and offense from freshmen Kaitlyn Wagner and Mandi Lenon.
 
No. 20 Lincoln Memorial Recap
Lincoln Memorial University starter Hayley Tamaro set down the first six Saints of the game while new Maryville starting pitcher Chayse Ramey retired her first three batters. In the second, the Railsplitters exploded for five runs after three hits, a hit-by-pitch, and an error. 
 
In the top of the fourth inning, Emersen Heron led off with a double down the left field line and was pinch run for by Callie Harrison. Erin Sammelmann drove home the first Saint run of 2023 with a double of her own to pull within four runs. 
 
LMU answered in the bottom half of the frame with three more to extend the lead to 8-1. In the fifth, a bases-loaded walk sent the Railsplitters to a 9-1 victory over Maryville.
  
Winning Pitcher: Hayley Tamaro (1-0)
Losing Pitcher: Chayse Ramey (0-1)
  
Batting Leaders
Erin Sammelmann: 1-for-2, 2B, RBI
Emersen Heron: 1-for-2, 2B
Caitlin Rodriguez: 1-for-2
 
Ohio Dominican Recap
Heron got the nod in the circle for game two and started off by setting down the first batter before ending the top of the first with a walk and a double play. In the bottom half, Sammelmann collected a two-out single but the Saints were unable to start a two-out rally.
 
In the second inning, freshman Mandi Lenon picked up the first hit of her college career with a single up the middle before advancing to second on a passed ball. Isabella Garcia then stepped in a ripped an RBI double to left center. Kaitlin Wagner also picked up her first collegiate hit, another Saints' double to drive in Garcia. Later in the second, Maryville made it 3-0 on a Taylor Shingler double to bring in pinch-runner Ally Wilson. 
 
Three runs of support are all that Heron would need, going the full seven innings while allowing just one run to pick up the first win of the campaign. The sophomore from Edmond, Okla., struck out four batters while surrendering just three hits to move to 1-0. 

Winning Pitcher: Emersen Heron (1-0)
Losing Pitcher: Emily Holland (0-1)
 
Batting Leaders
Kaitlyn Wagner: 2-for-3, 2 2B, RBI
Isabella Garcia: 1-for-3, 2B, RBI, R
Mandi Lenon: 2-for-3, R
Taylor Shingler: 1-for-3, 2B, RBI

Records:
Maryville: 1-1
No. 20 Lincoln Memorial: 2-0
Ohio Dominican: 0-2
 
What's Next?
The Saints continue the Lincoln Memorial Tournament on Sunday, Feb. 5, as they take on LMU at 8 a.m. (CT) followed by Ohio Dominican at 10:30 a.m. (CT).