CANYON, Texas - The Lincoln softball team opened play in the Lady Buff Invitational on Friday (Feb. 19), dropping two games to host West Texas A&M. The Blue Tigers were held to six hits as the Lady Buffs took game one, 12-0, and game two, 14-0.

Lincoln got runners on base in four of the first contest's five innings, stranding runners on first and second in both the third and fourth innings. West Texas A&M used four homeruns to bring in its first seven runs, however, and brought in four more scores in the bottom of the fourth on RBI doubles. An RBI single closed the scoring.

Hope McLeod, Megan Heimbaugh and Spencer Silva each had hits while Kiley Kerr reached base on a walk for the fourth time in LU's first six games. Silva and McLeod also got on board via walks throughout the contest. Madison Ragar had a strikeout in the circle in relief duty while Jessica Wolken led the defense with four putouts.

In the second game, Lincoln (0-7) kept West Texas A&M (12-0) off the board in the opening frame, but the Lady Buffs scored six runs in both the second and fourth frames while adding two more in the third. The Blue Tigers' best chance at avoiding the shutout came in the top of the fifth, with Heimbaugh hitting a leadoff single. A sacrifice bunt from Wolken moved her to second, and Avery Myers later got her to third on a base hit. Heimbaugh tried to score on that play, however, and was thrown out at home, ending the contest.

Silva also had a hit in the contest while starter Macie Kinsey fanned one batter. Defensively, Lauren Stamp led the team with seven putouts and Tori Nienhueser had three. Nienhueser also tied Wolken with three assists.

The Blue Tigers will continue play in the Lady Buff Invitational on Saturday (Feb. 20) with an 11:00 a.m. CST double-header against Newman.