LIBERTY, Mo. - The Lincoln softball team out-hit William Jewell, but the Cardinals ended up eking out a 1-0 win over the Blue Tigers in the evening game of a non-conference double-header on Thursday (April 20). WIlliam Jewell also took the opener, 8-3.

The Blue Tigers had six hits compared to five for the Cardinals in the late game, with Leah Wagner going 2-for-3 at the plate. Ashton Stalling pitched the first 4.2 frames, allowing only the one run, which was on a steal with two outs on the board in the bottom of the second. Lincoln (6-36) dominated the rest of the game, but stranded six runners on the base paths as William Jewell (7-35) held on for the victory.

Jordan Galliher struck out two batters in a relief role while Qwynn Marquez, Madison Garcia, Stalling and Leslie Callahan each had a hit. Katie Blair led Lincoln's defense with five putouts, and Ollison recorded four to go with a team-high three assists. Wagner and Emily Williams contributed two putouts apiece.

The Blue Tigers also tallied six hits in the opener, and put the pressure on the Cardinals with a seventh inning rally. Williams scored the first run of that game on a sacrifice fly by Ollison. Callahan, who singled, managed to make it to third base, but strikeout ended the threat. William Jewell responded by scoring on a wild pitch and an error in the bottom half of the frame.

The Cardinals added three more runs in the bottom of the second and eventually took an 8-1 lead heading into the fifth inning. A double play allowed LU to force a three-up, three-down defensive situation in the bottom of the fifth, and Ollison cut the deficit down to six with her second RBI of the day in the top of the sixth. Myah Dwyer led the inning off with a double, took third on a ground out, and then reached home on Ollison's base hit through the right side.

Hailey Dudenhoffer drove in another run in the seventh, scoring Wagner on a double with Audrey Rowe also on base. Lincoln would go on to load the bases with two outs on the board, but a ground out ended the game.

Williams and Wagner also had hits in the opener, and Galliher struck out two batters as the game's starter. Joss Marriott allowed just one hit as the first reliever, and Maddie Welker gave up only one run as the closer. Dwyer and Ollison each turned two assists, while Kennedy Schanuth tallied two putouts and Wagner finished with six,

Lincoln will close out its 2023 home slate on Wednesday (April 26) by hosting Southwest Baptist in a 2:00 p.m. CDT double-header.