ST. CHARLES, Mo. - The Lincoln softball team racked up 19 hits as the Blue Tigers swept Fort Hays State in a neutral site double-header on Thursday (April 6). Lincoln led from start to finish in the first game, a 4-3 win, and used a sixth-inning rally to take the second game, 4-2.

Following a scoreless first inning, Lincoln (5-29, 2-12 MIAA) got on the board in the second on an RBI double by Jordan Lawson that brought in Macie Kinsey. Paige Parker then plated both Lawson and Sarah Westhoff on a single, giving LU an early 3-0 cushion over Fort Hays State (9-31, 2-12 MIAA).

After forcing FHSU to go three-up, three-down in the top of the third, the Blue Tigers struck again in the bottom half of the frame when Kinsey scored on a base hit by Chelsey Kerr. Kinsey had previously reached base after hitting a double. Two more base hits by Lawson and Westhoff loaded the bases, but Fort Hays State managed to force a pop-out to hold the LU lead to 4-0.

Fort Hays State got on board with an RBI single in the top of the fourth, and then scored one run each in both the fifth and sixth innings. Lincoln forced FHSU to go down in order in the seventh, however, to prevent the comeback and earn its first MIAA win of the season.

Westhoff, Lawson and Parker each had two hits apiece in the game one win while Kiley Kerr also had a hit for LU. Madison Ragar earned her third win of the season in the circle, and Lawson posted a team-high six assists on defense. Kinsey led Lincoln with six putouts while Kiley Kerr was next with five.

In the second game of the afternoon, it was Fort Hays State scoring first, as FHSU brought in a pair of runs in the top of the second. Those ended up being the final runs that LU would allow on the day, but the Blue Tigers did not get on the board themselves until the bottom of the fifth. Maci Marshall reach on an error, and base hits by Mykenzie Livesay and Tori Nienhueser loaded the bases. Kinsey then hit into a fielder's choice, but it was enough for Marshall to reach home safely and pull the Blue Tigers to within 2-1 of Fort Hays State.

After forcing another 1-2-3 defensive inning, the Blue Tigers went back to work in the bottom of the sixth, with Parker tying the game by scoring on a double from Marshall. Livesay later brought in Marshall on a base hit to provide the game-winning run, and Kiley Kerr tacked on an insurance run when she scored on a single from Nienhueser. The Blue Tigers then stranded an FHSU runner on first in the seventh to secure the sweep.

Lincoln out-hit Fort Hays State 10-4 in the second contest, with Livesay tallying three of LU's hits. Nienhueser, Chelsey Kerr and Marshall each finished with two hits while Kinsey had one. Sarah Westhoff struck out four FHSU batters to earn the win in the circle, and Kinsey provided 10 putouts. Livesay added five assists while Nienhueser was next with three.

The Blue Tigers will be back in St. Charles on Saturday (April 8) as Lincoln plays Lindenwood in a double-header starting at 1:00 p.m. CDT. The games will be played on Lindenwood's campus, but Lincoln will serve as the home team for both contests.