JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Lincoln softball team racked up 18 hits en route to a 19-11 win over Stephens on Tuesday (Feb. 22). With the victory, the Blue Tigers improved to 3-0 at home in 2022.

Leslie Callahan got the offense started with a three-RBI base hit in the bottom of the first, and she later scored on a throwing error. Jordan Hollon made it a 5-0 Lincoln lead through the first inning by scoring on a single by Emily Williams.

A two-run homer gave Stephens (0-3) its first two scores of the contest in the top of the second, but Alivia Rymer drove in Jacqueline Marquez in the bottom half of the frame to put Lincoln (3-4) back ahead by four. The Stars mounted a comeback in the top of the third, however, scoring five runs on five hits and two LU errors to take their first lead of the day, 7-6.

That lead did not last long, as Williams hit a triple to plate Hollon, who led the bottom of the third off with a single. A base hit by Emma Rakes brought home Williams, and Rakes later scored herself on a Stephens error. That put LU back on top, 9-7, but Stephens cut that lead down to one on a double steal in the fourth inning.

Qwynn Marquez plated Leah Wagner in the bottom of the fourth to give Lincoln back the two-run advantage, but the Stars once again had a big offensive inning in the top of the fifth. Stephens tied the game on a two-RBI double, then proceeded to take an 11-10 lead on an RBI single later in the frame.

The Blue Tigers were hot at the plate for most of the day, however, and that offensive success continued in each of the next two innings. In the fifth, Alex Miller scored Jacqueline Marquez and Rakes on a double, Callahan drove in Miller on a base hit and Chloe Olsen and Williams each hit singles to drive in runners. Olsen scored on a wild pitch to put LU ahead, 16-11, through five innings.

Lincoln's defense came through in the top of the sixth, as the Blue Tigers forced Stephens to go three-up, three-down. LU then ended the game early with three more scores in the bottom half of the frame. Wagner scored on an error, Callahan came home on a hit by Hollon, and Olsen tallied the game-ending RBI by driving in Hollon with a deep hit into right field.

Rakes and Williams each went 3-for-4 at the plate, and Olsen, Hollon, Callahan and Jacqueline Marquez each had two hits in the win. Callahan additionally scored three runs and finished with four RBI while Williams batted in three runs. Kori Bullard scored a run and Wagner scored three times.

Hannah Clark struck out four batters before yielding to Maddie Welker, who also notched a strikeout. Aidan Dayberry closed the game in the circle and got her first victory as a Blue Tigers. Dayberry struck out three Stephens batters.

The second game of the double-header, and the twinbill on Wednesday (Feb. 23), have all been postponed due to inclement weather. Lincoln's next games are scheduled to be played on Saturday, Feb. 26, as LU is set to play Kentucky State at 4:00 p.m. CST and Harris Stowe at 6:00 p.m. CST, with both contests taking place at Battle High School in Columbia, Mo.