CLAREMORE, Okla. - The Lincoln softball team played a double-header against Rogers State on Monday (Feb. 27), but the Hillcats got the better of the Blue Tigers, taking both games by 9-1 final scores.

In the opener, a two-run homer in the top of the first gave Rogers State (12-3) the early lead. An RBI single in each of the next two frames, as well as a double that brought in another run, increased the RSU lead to 5-0 heading into the fourth inning.

A fielding error allowed Maci Marshall to reach base in the top of the fourth, and a base hit from Lauren Morrow followed by a walk issued to Kiley Kerr allowed LU to load the bases. Mykenzie Livesay was then issued a walk, bring in Marshall for the first Lincoln (0-12) run of the afternoon.

Rogers State led the bottom half of that frame off with a solo homerun, and produced two more scores to take an 8-1 lead through four. Lincoln had a base-runner in each of the next two frames, but the Hillcats ended the game in the bottom of the sixth on a sacrifice fly.

Morrow had two of LU's four hits in Monday's first game, with the other two belonging to Kerr and Jordan Lawson. Sarah Westhoff and Madison Ragar each threw strikeouts. Defensively, Lawson, Marshall, Tori Nienhueser and Kerr each had three putouts.

In the second game of the afternoon, Rogers State scored seven runs on eight hits and an error in the bottom of the first to take a commanding 7-0 lead. Lincoln got on the board in the fourth, as Nienhueser led the frame off with a walk. A single by Westhoff allowed Nienhueser to take second, and she later arrived on third thanks to a fielder's choice.

Nienhueser eventually scored on a wild pitch to cut the RSU lead down to six. The Hillcats got back on the board in the bottom of the fourth, however, as a two-out double scored a pair of runs to put Rogers State ahead by eight. Lincoln went three-up and three-down in the fifth to end the contest early.

Livesay and Paige Parker each had hits and Lawson struck out four Hillcat batters in a relief role. Westhoff posted a team-high five putouts followed by Parker with four. Lawson turned a pair of assists.

The Blue Tigers will next be in action at the National HBCU Classic in Oklahoma City, Okla. this Friday and Saturday (March 3-4).