HAYS, Kan. - The Lincoln softball team led for about half the game, but Fort Hays State rallied for a 9-4 win over the Blue Tigers in the second game of a double-header on Sunday (March 20). FHSU also won the opening game, 5-0.

Fort Hays State (11-17, 6-6 MIAA) struck first in the night cap, scoring on an RBI single in the bottom of the first, but Lincoln (2-27, 1-11 MIAA) came back with three runs in the second. LU initially tied the game on a fielding error following a base hit from Jessica Wolken, with Avery Myers reaching the plate. Another fielding error in the ensuing at-bat allowed both Wolken and Sarah Westhoff to score, giving Lincoln the 3-1 advantage.

Lincoln stranded three FHSU base runners over the course of the next two innings to keep its lead entering the bottom of the fourth. Fort Hays State's offense came to life in that frame, as FHSU plated six runs on five hits and an error to re-take the lead, 7-3.

FHSU pushed its lead to 9-3 with a pair of scores in the sixth, but LU tried to mount a comeback in the seventh inning. Westhoff hit a lead-off double and reached third on a ground-out. A fielder's choice later brought in Westhoff and put Hope McLeod on base, but she ended up being stranded on second to end the contest.

McLeod and Spencer Silva each had hits in the second game while Westhoff struck out two FHSU batters in a closer role. The starting pitcher, Lauren Stamp, led LU with four putouts while Tori Nienhueser recorded three and Wolken, Westhoff and Megan Heimbaugh each finished with two.

In the opener, Lincoln kept Fort Hays State off the board in the first two frames, but FHSU brought in three runs in the third to take the lead for good. Fort Hays State later added scores in the fifth and sixth frames.

LU's best shot to score came in the sixth inning, with McLeod leading off the frame with a base hit. Macie Kinsey was hit by a pitch to give LU a pair of base runners, but both Kinsey and McLeod ended up being stranded on base. Lincoln also had a runner in scoring position in the first inning, as Nienhueser led off with a double.

Kinsey and Wolken also had hits in Sunday's first game, and Madison Ragar fanned three batters in the circle while Kinsey struck out one. Ragar also led the defense with five putouts while Myers tallied four and Kinsey and Nienhueser each recorded three. Silva added three assists while Nienhueser and Ragar each tallied two.

Lincoln will open a six-game homestand on Tuesday (March 22) when the Blue Tigers host Missouri S&T at Duensing Field in a 4:00 p.m. CDT non-conference double-header.