BOLIVAR, Mo. - Leah Wagner hit a bases-clearing double in the top of the fifth to lift the Lincoln softball team to a 6-5 win over Southwest Baptist in the second game of a double-header on Tuesday (Feb. 21). The Blue Tigers led in the first game, but ultimately fell, 6-1.

The Bearcats had a one-run lead entering the fifth, but Emma Rakes got on base via an error to open frame, and later advanced to third on another error, one that allowed Jacqueline Marquez to safely reach first. Wagner then drove both runners in with a liner deep into right centerfield, and LU defensively forced SBU to go three-up, three-down during the each of the final three innings to secure the victory.

Lincoln (2-6) started the game hot, as Leslie Callahan hit a home run in the first at-bat of the contest. It didn't take Southwest Baptist (2-8) long to answer, as the Bearcats tallied four hits and scored twice in the bottom half of the first. SBU later added to its lead with a run off a sacrifice fly in the third.

Marquez pulled Lincoln back within one on a home run to open the top of the fourth, and Maris Ollison hit a double before moving to third on a base hit by Wagner. A sacrifice bunt from Ashton Stalling brought in Ollison, and Wagner gave Lincoln a 4-3 advantage by scoring on a double steal.

Callahan had three of LU's eight hits in the opener, while Wagner finished with two and Rakes had one. Stalling picked up her first win of the season, pitching seven innings and allowing just three earned runs while striking out two Bearcat batters. Wagner posted a team-high 10 putouts, and Myah Dwyer finished with four assists while Callahan turned three.

In Tuesday's first game, Callahan led the contest off with a walk, stole second and took third on a ground out, but neither team would end up scoring until the top of the fourth. Rakes got on board with a single and later scored on a base hit by Marquez. The lead would last until the bottom of the fifth, but Southwest Baptist scored three runs in that frame and three more in the sixth to take the opener.

Wagner also had a hit in the first game, and Jordan Galliher struck out three opposing batters while Maddie Welker also notched a strikeout. Wagner finished with seven putouts, followed by Marquez with four and Dwyer with three. Callahan, Dwyer, Ollison and Galliher each recorded two assists.

The Blue Tigers will travel to Springfield, Mo. to play four games this weekend, starting with an 11:00 a.m. CST showdown with Drury on Saturday (Feb. 25). Lincoln will face Maryville on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. CST, and will take on Minot State on Sunday (Feb. 26) at 10:00 a.m. CST. The Blue Tigers will close the weekend with a rematch against Southwest Baptist, with the teams meeting on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. CST.