JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Lincoln softball team scored a pair of runs in the sixth inning to beat William Jewell, 3-2, on Thursday (March 23) for the Blue Tigers' first-ever win on the new LU Softball Field. The victory came in the second contest of a double-header, as William Jewell used a sixth inning rally of its own in the opener to win, 5-3.

Lincoln (3-19) had four hits in its victory, and the first was a big one, as Tori Nienhueser hit the ball over the left centerfield fence in the fourth inning to even the score at one-all. William Jewell (10-12) had previously taken the lead in the top of the third on a base hit into centerfield that scored a runner from second base with two outs on the board. The Cardinals would later regain the lead in the fifth inning, as a WJC player hit a double, took advantage of a passed ball and then scored on a single through the left side.

The score remained 2-1 in favor of the Cardinals heading into the bottom of the sixth, but Kiley Kerr started the frame off with a single and then took third on a base hit by Mykenzie Livesay. Nienhueser then hit a sacrifice fly into right field to tie the game at two. Macie Kinsey followed with a double that brought in Livesay for the winning run, and the Blue Tiger defense proceeded to strand a pair of Cardinal base runners in the top of the seventh to secure the victory.

Sarah Westhoff notched three strikeouts in a complete game performance en route to earning her first win of the season. Kinsey led LU with five putouts while Livesay, Nienhueser, Maci Marshall and Jordan Lawson each provided three. Livesay additionally had four assists while Westhoff finished with two.

Lincoln had an opportunity to win the opener as well, as Lincoln had a 2-0 advantage through three innings. Kerr led the game off with a triple, and then Livesay brought her home on a single through the middle. In the third inning, Kerr notched another hit and later scored on a William Jewell throwing error.

The Cardinals battled back in the fourth inning, using three hits to plate a pair of runs to knot the score at two. The Blue Tigers had some more offense left in the tank, however, as Kerr recorded her third-straight hit in the bottom of the fifth before scoring on a base hit by Nienhueser. The lead was short-lived, though, as William Jewell took advantage of an LU error as well as a pair of hits to score three runs in the top of the sixth.

Lauren Morrow and Paige Parker also had hits in the opener, and Madison Ragar had a strikeout in the circle. In addition to her three hits, Kerr had six putouts in centerfield, second only to Kinsey's seven. Nienhueser recorded five assists and Livesay provided three.

The Blue Tigers will now take to the road for an MIAA double-header at Washburn in Topeka, Kan. on Friday (March 24). First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. CDT.