MARYVILLE, Mo. - The Lincoln softball team collected 10 hits, but dropped both games of a twinbill to Northwest Missouri on Thursday afternoon (March 9). The Blue Tigers lost the first game, 11-2, and fell in the second, 11-3.

In the opener, Northwest Missouri (10-6, 2-0 MIAA) broke a scoreless tie with a three-run second inning, and added another run in the third on an RBI double. Lincoln (2-16, 0-2 MIAA) got on the board in the fifth inning, when the Blue Tigers plated a pair of runs on four hits.

Tori Nienhueser opened the frame with a single into left field, and advanced to third on a pair of a ground outs. Chelsey Kerr drove Nienhueser in with a single through the middle, and later took second on a passed ball. That brought up Kiley Kerr, who hit one deep enough into centerfield to drive in Chelsey Kerr.

Mykenzie Livesay also had a double in the frame, but the Blue Tigers were unable to produce any more runs after cutting the NWMSU lead to 4-2. Both teams went scoreless in their next two offensive frames, but the Bearcats ended the game an inning early with seven runs in the bottom of the sixth.

Chelsey Kerr and Macie Kinsey each had two hits for LU while Madison Ragar pitched the complete game and registered three strikeouts. Nienhueser led the Blue Tiger defense with five putouts, Maci Marshall was responsible for four and Kiley Kerr added three.

In the second game, Northwest Missouri took an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first, but Lincoln came back to take a 3-2 advantage in the top of the fourth. Lincoln loaded the bases with Livesay being issued a walk, Kinsey hitting a single and Jordan Lawson reaching on an error. Maddie Striklan was then walked to bring in LU's first run of the nightcap, and Paige Parker hit a two-run double to give Lincoln the lead.

Northwest Missouri quickly tied the contest at three with a solo homerun to lead off the bottom of the fourth, and added another score on a sacrifice fly to regain the lead heading into the fifth. Kiley Kerr ended up being stranded on third in that frame, and the Blue Tigers were not able to push another run across the plate. NWMSU, meanwhile, scored seven runs on eight hits in the sixth to end the game.

Lauren Morrow also had a hit for LU, and Kinsey notched a strikeout while pitching in relief. Kinsey also led Lincoln with five putouts while Kiley Kerr was next with three. Livesay provided three assists.

The Blue Tigers will remain on the road on Friday (March 10) to play Missouri Western in another double-header. First pitch of the opening game is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. CST.