JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Lincoln softball team opens its 2022 campaign this weekend with four games as part of the Alvy Early Memorial Classic in Bentonville, Ark. on Saturday and Sunday (Feb. 12-13).

Lincoln will play its first game of the season on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. CST as the Blue Tigers face off against Drury. At 1:00 p.m. CST on Saturday, the Blue Tigers will get a good early season test as LU playes Southern Arkansas, which enters the year ranked No. 16 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division II poll. On Sunday at 11:00 a.m. CST, LU will play Arkansas Tech before closing the tournament with a 1:00 p.m. CST contest against the host of the classic, Arkansas-Monticello.

The Blue Tigers return 11 players from their 2021 squad, including Emily Williams, who led the team with a .282 batting average while matching fellow returner Jordan Hollon with 17 RBI. Leslie Callahan had 30 hits a year ago, while Jacqueline Marquez had 29. Hollon scored a team-high 20 runs last year while Alex Miller finished with 22 hits and 11 RBI. Alyvia Rymer tallied 23 hits, including two homers, and batted in 11 runs.

Hannah Clark, who posted a 2.03 ERA in 2021, and Maddie Welker, who struck out 40 opposing batters, are Lincoln's top-returning pitchers. Miller, who fanned 21 batters, and Ashton Stalling, who pitched LU to two wins, also have experience in the circle. 

Following the Alvy Early Memorial Classic, Lincoln will play 12-straight home games, beginning with two on Saturday, Feb. 19. Nearly all of Lincoln's home games in 2022 will be played in Columbia, Mo. at Battle High School as LU Softball Field is undergoing renovations.