BENTONVILLE, Ark. - The Lincoln softball team scored eight runs on nine hits, but the Blue Tigers dropped an afternoon double-header to Arkansas-Monticello on Sunday (Feb. 13). The teams played each other closely in the first game, which resulted in a 7-5 win for the Blossoms. In the second contest, UAM took advantage of a big second inning to earn a 12-3 victory.

Arkansas-Monticello (5-5) used an RBI groundout for a 1-0 lead after the first inning of game one, but the Blue Tigers struck back in the top of the second. Lincoln (0-4) capitalized on a pair of UAM pitching miscues, as Jacqueline Marquez was hit by a pitch, and Leslie Callahan was issued a walk. Both players then scored on a bases-clearing double by Kori Bullard that put the Blue Tigers ahead, 2-1.

The lead held until the bottom of the third, as the Blossoms tied the game on an RBI single before re-taking the lead with a three-run homer. In the fifth, the Blossoms added an insurance run on a sacrifice fly, but LU cut into the four-run deficit in the top of the sixth. Jordan Hollon led the inning off by reaching via a walk, and Marquez brought her home with a double. A base hit by Callahan later brought home Marquez, and Leah Wagner made it a 6-5 ballgame by plating Callahan on a base hit.

After leading the bottom of the sixth off with a double, Arkansas-Monticello scored on a fielder's choice to increase its lead back up to two. Lincoln was unable to bring in a score in the seventh, as the Blossoms took game one of the double-header. Emma Rakes also had a hit for Lincoln while Jordan Galliher struck out a batter while serving as the game's closer. Chloe Olsen recorded a team-high seven putouts while Hollon turned five assists.

In the second contest, Arkansas-Monticello out-hit Lincoln 9-3 and capitalized on a six-run second inning to take control of the contest. All three of LU's runs came in the top of the fifth, which started off with Olsen being issued a walk. Both Makenna Branch and Jalia Callaway were hit by pitches, allowing LU to load the bases. Another walk, this one issued to Marquez, brought in Lincoln's first run of the contest. Wagner then drove in Branch and Callaway with a base hit.

Wagner had two hits in the contest while Olsen finished with one. Olsen recorded four putouts, while Wagner and Hollon each had two, and Callahan led the Blue Tigers with three assists. Maddie Welker and Ashton Stalling each struck out batters inside the circle.

Lincoln will host an HBCU Round Robin next weekend, and will play Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 12:00 p.m. CST and Harris Stowe at 4:00 p.m. CST on Saturday (Feb. 19). On Sunday, LU hosts Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 2:00 p.m. CST and Harris Stowe at 4:00 p.m. CST. All four games will be played in Columbia, Mo. at Battle High School.