QUINCY, Ill. - Spencer Silva hit a two-run homer to pull the Blue Tigers to within one, but a pair of good defensive plays helped Quincy hand the Lincoln softball team a 5-4 loss on Wednesday (April 20). That was the result of the second game of Wednesday's double-header, with the Lady Hawks also winning the first, 6-0.

In the second game, a three-run homer and an RBI single helped Quincy take a 4-0 lead over the Blue Tigers through four. In the top of the fifth, Megan Heimbaugh and Tori Nienhueser led the frame off with a pair of singles. A sacrifice bunt by Macie Kinsey moved both players into scoring position, and Heimbaugh scored LU's first run of the day on a passed ball.

In the fifth inning, Kiley Kerr was issued a walk and back-to-back base hits by Hope McLeod and Heimbaugh loaded the bases. Nienhueser then hit into a fielder's choice, picking up an RBI as she scored Kerr to cut the Quincy lead down to 4-2.

The Lady Hawks scored what proved to be the winning run in the sixth on an LU fielding error, putting the Blue Tigers in a three-run hole. Lauren Stamp led the final inning with a single, and, after a ground out, Silva made it a one-run ballgame with her homerun over the right centerfield fence.

In the final two at-bats, however, Quincy's centerfield made an impressive diving catch and the Lady Hawks' shortstop made a leaping grab on a line out, stretching her arms as much as possible to catch the ball. Both defensive plays robbed LU of what would have been sure hits.

McLeod had three hits in the contest and Heimbaugh recorded two. Sarah Westhoff also had a hit and pitched the entire game, notching four strikeouts. Heimbaugh, Kinsey and Jessica Wolken tied for the team lead with four putouts apiece while Kerr was next with three. Wolken and Nienhueser each turned a pair of assists.

In the opener, Quincy (15-25) tallied 12 hits while holding Lincoln (5-46) to three. The Blue Tigers' best opportunity to score came in the seventh, as Stamp led the frame off with a double. A ground out moved her to third, but a ground out to the shortstop and a foul out to the catcher ended the contest.

Nienhueser and Kinsey had LU's other hits, with Nienhueser also tallying a double. Madison Ragar notched a strikeout in the circle and Stamp finished with a team-high eight putouts. Silva added five assists.

The Blue Tigers will be back at Duensing Field on Friday (April 22) to host Central Missouri for an MIAA double-header. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. CDT.