JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Lincoln softball team plays its first double-header of 2023 on Saturday (Feb. 18) when the Blue Tigers travel to Liberty, Mo. to play William Jewell. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. CST.

Lincoln opened its season last weekend at the Alvy Early Memorial Classic in Bentonville, Ark. While LU dropped each of its four games, the Blue Tigers were competitive in three of those contests, including taking Henderson State to extra innings. LU's pitchers combined to strike out 15 total batters, with Joss Marriott and Jordan Galliher each fanning six. Galliher pitched 12.0 innings over the weekend, posting an ERA of 2.33.

Leah Wagner was Lincoln's offensive leader last weekend, batting .500 with a 1.394 OPS and a .727 on base percentage. Wagner scored three runs on three hits with two RBI, and also drew four walks. Qwynn Marquez hit .286 and also had two RBI while Emma Rakes, Jacqueline Marquez, Emily Williams and Myah Dwyer each recorded three hits. Maris Ollison scored a run, and Madison Garcia tallied two hits, including a double.

William Jewell enters the weekend also seeking its first win, as the Cardinals, who also played at the Alvy Early Memorial Classic, is 0-3 on the year. Five WJC batters are hitting .400 or better, including Payton Totzke (.429), who has four runs on three hits. Sabrina Olmo (.444), Addie Bell (.400) and Abby Vandiver (.400) each have four hits, and Kenzie Stahl is hitting .429 on the season. In the circle, Olivia Wood owns a 1.75 ERA, and Sydney Parra has struck out three opposing batters.