EMPORIA, Kan. - The Lincoln softball team recorded 14 hits, including a homerun by Mykenzie Livesay, but lost to Emporia State in a pair of games on Saturday (March 25). Emporia State won the first game, 8-3, before taking the second in five innings, 12-1.

In the opener, Emporia State (22-16, 8-4 MIAA) scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the first and built a 5-0 lead through two innings. In the third inning, however, Chelsey Kerr led Lincoln (3-23, 0-6 MIAA) off with a double and advanced to third on a ground out. Tori Nienhueser then drove her in with an infield hit.

The Lady Hornets responded with three more runs in the bottom half of the frame, but the Blue Tiger defense kept ESU off the board after that point. Lincoln's other runs came in the seventh inning, which began with Maci Marshall reaching on a walk. Base hits by Paige Parker and Chelsey Kerr loaded the bases, and Kiley Kerr was issued a walk to bring in LU's second run of the afternoon. Livesay then hit a line drive through the middle to bring home Parker.

Lauren Morrow, Macie Kinsey and Jordan Lawson also had hits in the first game as Lincoln finished with eight hits overall. Madison Ragar struck out a pair of ESU batters, and Livesay had five putouts while Kinsey and Parker each finished with four. Nienhueser led LU with three assists.

In the second game, Lincoln's lone run was courtesy of Livesay's homerun in the top of the third. Emporia State opened the contest with seven runs in the first inning and kept the Blue Tigers off the board in each of LU's other four offensive frames.

Lincoln finished with six hits in the nightcap, including two by Nienhueser and one each from Kinsey, Lawson and Morrow. Kinsey led the LU defense with seven putouts while Lawson provided three assists.

Lincoln will open a 10-game homestand on Tuesday (March 28) when the Blue Tigers continue MIAA play by hosting Nebraska Kearney. First pitch from LU Softball Field is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. CDT.