JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Lincoln softball game dropped its first two MIAA games of the 2023 season on Monday (March 13). Lincoln, which was also playing in its home opener, dropped the first game, 12-3, and fell in the second, 8-0.

Leslie Callahan led off the opener with a walk, stole second and later took third on a wild pitch. Qwynn Marquez then gave LU an early 1-0 lead with a single through the right side, and the Blue Tigers would maintain that 1-0 advantage through the first two innings. In the third inning, however, Pittsburg State (16-8, 2-2 MIAA) managed to score four unearned runs to take the lead, and added eight more scores in the fourth.

Lincoln (3-13, 0-2 MIAA) got back on the board in the bottom of the fourth when Emma Rakes scored on a bases-loaded walk. Marquez then picked up her second RBI of the day with a base hit through the left side, plating Emily Williams for the final run of the first game. Ashton Stalling also had two hits, while Rakes was issued three walks and Callahan also had a hit.

Williams and Leah Wagner each recorded four putouts to lead the LU defense, and Myah Dwyer had three while Maris Ollison was next with two. Dwyer, Stalling, Ollison and Callahan each turned assists.

In the second game, a six-run second inning was the difference for the Gorillas, who had seven total hits in the contest. Wagner went 2-for-2 at the plate for the Blue Tigers, and Jordan Galliher struck out two PSU batters. Williams and Hailey Dudenhoeffer tied for the team-lead with three putouts apiece, and Joss Marriott and Katie Blair each recorded two assists.

Lincoln will host Missouri Southern at the Ellis-Porter Complex in Jefferson City on Tuesday (March 14) for a double-header at 2:00 p.m. CDT.