JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Lincoln softball team collected 14 hits against Missouri Southern on Friday (April 14), but ended up dropping a pair of MIAA contests. Missouri Southern took the first game of the afternoon, 11-2, and won the second, 9-0.

In the first game, Missouri Southern (24-25, 13-7 MIAA) scored on an RBI single and a sacrifice fly to take a 2-0 lead in the top of the first. Lincoln (5-37, 2-16 MIAA) answered with two runs on its own in the bottom of the second, beginning with Chelsey Kerr scoring on a double by Paige Parker. Sarah Westhoff later scored on a wild pitch to tie the game at two.

Macie Kinsey hit a double for LU in the third, and both Parker and Lauren Morrow got into scoring position in the fourth, but Missouri Southern managed to keep the score tied at two through both innings. The Lions broke the tie with five runs in the fifth, and added a pair of runs in both the sixth and seventh frames to secure the win.

Lincoln had nine hits in the opener, but ended up stranding nine runners on base. Jordan Lawson went 3-for-4 at the plate, and Parker finished with a pair of hits. Westhoff and Chelsey Kerr each also had a hit while Kiley Kerr got on base twice via walks.

Madison Ragar struck out two MSSU batters, and Lawson and Tori Nienhueser each turned three assists. Kinsey led the defense with seven putouts and Mykenzie Livesay added four while Lawson, Parker, Nienhueser and Morrow recorded two apiece.

In the second game, Missouri Southern scored twice in both the first and third innings, added a single run in the second and blew the game open with four runs in the fourth. In the fifth inning, the Lincoln defense was able to retire the side in order. MSSU finished with just a 9-5 advantage in hits, but took advantage of two LU errors.

Lincoln had its chances to score, beginning in the third inning when Nienhueser led off with a single. Morrow added a base hit, and then Maci Marshall was issued a walk to load the bases. The Lions turned a double play and then forced a ground out, however, to keep the Blue Tigers off the board. In the fourth inning, LU had the bags loaded again thanks to three-straight singles by Lawson, Westhoff and Chelsey Kerr. MSSU kept LU off the board, though, as the Lions recorded three-straight outs on fielder's choices.

In the second game, Westhoff led LU's defense with five putouts while Kinsey was next with four. Livesay and Nienhueser each added three assists, and Lawson recorded two.

The Blue Tigers will return to LU Softball Field on Saturday (April 15) to host Pittsburg State for a twinbill beginning at 1:00 p.m. CDT. Saturday is Senior Day, and a special pre-game ceremony will be held to honor seniors Westhoff, Kinsey and Hope McLeod.