MAGNOLIA, Ark. - The Lincoln softball team resumed play in the season-opening SAU Softball Invitational, dropping a pair of neutral site contests. The Blue Tigers fell to Cameron, 7-0, and Texas Woman's, 8-3, on Saturday (Feb. 6) in Magnolia, Ark.

Cameron 7, Lincoln 0
Cameron tallied 14 hits and held the Blue Tigers to just one as the Aggies took the morning game, 7-0.

A solo homerun gave the Aggies an early 1-0 lead, but the Blue Tigers kept Cameron (4-1) off the board in the second and third frames. In the top of the fourth, and RBI double gave CU another run, and the Aggies went on to load the bases. Lincoln got one out on an interference, however, and Avery Myers made a good catch on a tough foul ball to keep the Cameron lead at 2-0.

The Aggies ended up getting two more scores in the fifth and added a pair of runs in the seventh to complete the game's scoring. Lincoln's best opportunity at a run came in the sixth, with Megan Heimbaugh leading off with a single down the left field line. Lauren Stamp was then issued a walk, giving the Blue Tigers two base runners, but the Aggies turned a double play and forced a ground out to keep LU off the board.

Stamp led Lincoln with seven putouts while Jessica Wolken recorded four and Avery Myers and Tori Nienhueser each had three. Wolken recorded a team-high three assists while Macie Kinsey and Nienhueser tallied two apiece.

Texas Woman's 8, Lincoln 3
The Blue Tigers held the Pioneers to seven hits, but committed six errors as Texas Women's took the afternoon contest, 8-3.

A two-run double in the opening frame and a pair of unearned runs in the second gave TWU the early 4-0 lead, but Lincoln (0-4) cut into the deficit in the top of the fourth. Spencer Silva started the comeback with a well-hit single through the middle, and a pair of walks allowed LU to load the bases with just one out. Kiley Kerr then brought in Silva on a ground out to the pitcher before a fielding error brought home Megan Heimbaugh.

The Pioneers scored on a sacrifice bunt in the bottom of the fourth, then plated three more runs in the sixth to go up, 8-2. Lincoln's final run came in the seventh, which started with Kerr being walked and Hope McLeod tallying a base hit. Kerr was retired on a fielder's choice, but a throwing error allowed McLeod to reach third. A sacrifice fly from Avery Myers then brought in LU's third and final run of the afternoon.

Macie Kinsey recorded eight putouts to lead the Lincoln defense. McLeod had three putouts while Tori Nienhueser posted a team-high four assists and Jessica Wolken recorded three. Madison Ragar recorded a strikeout in the circle while Wolken and Lauren Stamp each had hits.

The Blue Tigers will close out play in the SAU Softball Invitational on Sunday (Feb. 7) with a 10:00 a.m. CST game against Newman.