PITTSBURG, Kan. - The Lincoln softball team opened MIAA play with a bang, racking up 19 hits in a double header against Pittsburg State on Sunday (March 13). In the first game, however, the Gorillas rallied to win, 15-7, before beating LU in the second game, 10-1.

In the first game, eight different Blue Tigers had at least one hit, with Ashton Stalling and Emma Rakes each recording three. With Lincoln (11-8, 0-2 MIAA) facing a 5-2 deficit in the top of the third, Stalling hit a grand slam over the left field wall, bringing home Kori Bullard, Alivia Rymer and Chloe Olson to put LU ahead by one.

Both teams took advantage of the long ball on Sunday, with Pittsburg State (16-7, 2-0 MIAA) taking back the lead in bottom of the third with a pair of solo home runs. Lincoln advanced the potential tying run to third in the top of the fourth, but the threat was halted by a pair of strikeouts. In the bottom of the fourth, the Gorillas scored eight runs on six hits to take control of the ballgame.

Leah Wagner initially got LU on the board with a home run in the top of the second, and a base hit from Leslie Callahan with the bags loaded brought home Olson later on in the frame. Stalling later closed the game's scoring by reaching home in the fifth inning.

Callahan, Rymer and Olson each had a pair of hits while both Bullard and Emily Williams had one apiece. Jordan Galliher struck out three while starting in the circle, and Hannah Clark and Maddie Welker each fanned one. Wagner led LU with five putouts, and Rymer and Clark each had an assist.

In the second game, the Gorillas scored four runs in each of the first and third frames before tacking on two more in the fourth. Lincoln had four hits in the night cap, including a double by Rakes that drove in Jordan Hollon in the top of the third. Callahan, Olson and Bullard also had hits.

Aidan Dayberry pitched the complete game and rang up four strikeouts, and Olson had six putouts while Katie Blair was next with four. Hollon turned two assists.

Lincoln remains on the road on Monday (March 14) to play Missouri Southern in Joplin, Mo. in a 3:00 p.m. CDT double header.