CANYON, Texas - The Blue Tiger offense produced eight hits, but the Lincoln softball team dropped both games of a double-header to Newman at the Lady Buffs Invitational on Saturday (Feb. 20). The Jets limited LU to one hit in the opener en route to a 6-0 win before beating the Blue Tigers in the second game, 12-1.

Macie Kinsey had LU's hit in the opener, as she singled through the left side after Tori Nienhueser reached on a walk to give the Blue Tigers two base runners in the bottom of the fourth. A ground out during the next at-bat moved both players into scoring position, but another ground out ended the inning.

That ended up being Lincoln's best opportunity to produce a run, as LU ended just one other inning with a runner stranded on the base path. Kinsey reached after being hit by a pitch in the bottom of the second, and eventually reached second base before the ending ended.

Newman brought in a pair of unearned runs in the top of the second, then scored twice in the third and brought in a run in both the sixth and seventh frames. Madison Ragar pitched the complete game and struck out a Newman batter. Lauren Stamp had eight putouts while Avery Myers had four. Spencer Silva led the team with four assists and Ragar and Nienhueser each turned three.

Lincoln (0-9) was a little more actively offensively in the second game, but fell into an early hole as Newman (4-6) scored six runs in the top of the first. A leadoff triple by Sarah Westhoff in the top of the second led to LU's run, with a single through the left side by Myer bringing in the score. Another base hit by Kiley Kerr gave LU two base runners, but Newman forced a ground out to end the threat.

The Blue Tigers also stranded a pair of base runners in the top of the third, with Nienhueser reaching third base after getting on board with a double. Lincoln also had a great opportunity to add some runs in the top of the fifth, with Nienhueser hitting a single, Kinsey reaching on a walk and Westhoff getting on base via a fielding error to load the bags. Newman was able to turn a double-play, however, to end the game.

Nienhueser went 3-for-3 at the plate while Hope McLeod also had a hit for LU. Myers led Lincoln defensively with four putouts while Nienhueser, Silva and Jessica Wolken each finished with two assists. Westhoff pitched the complete game and struck out three.

Lincoln will close out play in the Lady Buff Invitational on Sunday (Feb. 21) with a 9:00 a.m. CST twinbill against Western Oregon.