LIBERTY, Mo. - A two-RBI single laid down by Lindsey Brandt gave the Lincoln softball team a 6-4 lead in the top of the eighth, but William Jewell plated three runs in the bottom half of the frame to beat the Blue Tigers, 7-6, in the second game of a double-header on Tuesday (March 12). The Cardinals also won the opener, 7-3.

In the top of the extra inning, Torri Hinnah advanced Vanessa Cardenas and Kierra O'Rourke into scoring position with a ground out, setting up Brandt's base hit that brought in both runners for a 6-4 LU lead. The Cardinals opened the bottom of the eighth with a two-run homer, however, but LU forced consecutive fly outs in the ensuing at-bats. A walk and a steal set up WJC in scoring position, however, and a walk-off base hit ended the game.

A home run opened the scoring in game two, as Leslie Callahan hit the ball over the left center wall during LU's first trip to the plate for an early 1-0 lead. The Cardinals scored on a double in the bottom of the second to tie the game, but Callahan got the offense going for the Blue Tigers with a single in the top of the third. Abbi Conrad followed with a base hit and Mackenzie Graham was hit by a pitching, loading the bases for LU. Gabby Newman reached on a walk to bring in Callahan and Conrad stole home to give the Blue Tigers a 3-1 advantage.

Another homer allowed William Jewell (16-8) to pull within one in the bottom of the third, and the score would remain 3-2 entering the seventh inning. Callahan tripled in that inning and Conrad brought her home with a single into right center field to give Lincoln (7-13) a two run cushion. The Cardinals scored on a double and a sacrifice fly to tie the score at four, and Lincoln put WJC out at third on a fielder's choice to send the game into an additional frame.

Callahan went 4-for-4 at the plate with three runs and an RBI while Conrad had two hits and Brandt and Hinnah each finished with one. Abby Pulliam pitched the entire game and struck out four WJC batters. Hinnah led LU with seven putouts, O'Rourke had four and Callahan and Taylor Heimbaugh each added three. Newman provided four assists and Conrad contributed three.

Lincoln also struck first in the opener, as Callahan hit a double in the top of the third and took third on a ground out by Conrad. Graham scored Callahan on a base hit and later reached third herself on a single by Newman, but a fly out ended the threat. The Cardinals responded by plating a pair of runs on three hits in the bottom of the third to take their first lead of the afternoon. William Jewell later enjoyed a big fourth inning, scoring five more runs on five hits and two errors.

A double by Callahan began a rally for LU in the top of the seventh. Heimbaugh, who reached on a walk, took third base on that hit, then scored on a ground out by Conrad. Graham followed that with a double that plated Callahan and later took third on an error, but ended up stranded as WJC secured the 7-3 win.

Graham led LU with three hits, Callahan went 2-for-2 with two runs and Brandt had a hit. In the circle, Mallorey Rogers struck out two Cardinal batters while Kasey Kilburn and Joss Marriott notched one apiece. Jamilyn Bagby ended the game with six putouts and Callahan added five while Newman totaled three assists.

Lincoln returns home to host Minnesota State-Moorhead at LU Softball Field on Wednesday (March 13) in a 1:00 p.m. CDT double-header.