ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - Two big innings made all the difference on Tuesday (April 2) as the Lincoln softball team dropped a pair of games to Missouri Western. Lincoln fell in the first contest, 8-0, and lost the second, 13-0.

The Blue Tigers had a shutout going through the first four innings of Tuesday's opener, as Lincoln turned double plays in both the first and second frames while allowing a total of just one hit in the third and fourth innings. The fifth inning was when the game turned around, however, as Missouri Western took advantage of four hits and a couple LU errors to plate all eight of its runs.

Missouri Western (20-14, 7-5 MIAA) scored two runs to start the second game, but the big momentum swing in the night cap came in the second frame, when the Griffons plated five more runs to take a 7-0 advantage. MWSU staved off the Lincoln offense the rest of the way to take the series.

Tori Nienhueser had two hits to lead the LU offense during the double-header, and Bekah Kirker, Jordan Lawson, Camryn Pryor and Rachael Balke each had one hit apiece. Shannon Greene fanned three MWSU batters, and Pryor led the defense with nine putouts. Nienhueser turned six assists.

After playing its last six games on the road, Lincoln (4-30, 1-15 MIAA) will be back at home this weekend, as the Blue Tigers host Missouri Southern at LU Softball Field on Friday (April 5). First pitch of that MIAA twinbill is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. CDT.