BENTONVILLE, Ark. - The Lincoln softball team had nine hits, but Illinois-Springfield won, 5-2, in the 2023 season opener for the Blue Tigers on Saturday (Feb. 11).

Illinois-Springfield scored twice in the opening frame, and led 4-0 before Lincoln got on board for the first time of the year in the bottom of the third. After Qwynn Marquez moved Leah Wagner to third on a sacrifice bunt, Emma Rakes hit a single to drive in Wagner to cut the Prairie Stars' lead down to three.

Lincoln forced UIS to go three-up, three-down in the top of the fourth, then went back to work on offense. Myah Dwyer scored on a base hit by Wagner, one of three hits for LU in the inning. That was the final score of the contest until the seventh, however, when the Prairie Stars scored on a two-out single.

Emily Williams led Lincoln with three hits and Dwyer had two while Qwynn Marquez and Jacqueline Marquez had one apiece. Joss Marriott opened the game in the circle and struck out four Prairie Star batters, while Jordan Galliher racked up four K's in a relief role.

Jacqueline Marquez led the Blue Tigers with eight putouts, and Wagner had five while Williams finished with four. Dwyer turned three assists, and Leslie Callahan tallied two.

In Lincoln's second game of the day, the Blue Tigers fell to the host of the tournament, Arkansas-Monticello, 14-1. Jacqueline Marquez had a hit while Wagner score the run for LU in the top of the third. Ashton Stalling pitched the complete game and struck our four batters.