JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Lincoln softball team scored on a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat Emporia State, 4-3, in the second game of an MIAA double-header on Friday (March 22). It gave LU a split in the series, as ESU won the opener, 3-2.

The Blue Tigers had a 3-2 lead entering the top of the seventh in game two, but the Lady Hornets led the frame off with a base hit and advanced the tying run to third on a sacrifice bunt. A base hit tied the game, and ESU threatened to take the lead by getting runners on first and second, but Mallorey Rogers entered the game and notched a strikeout to keep the game tied. Paige Schaffer led the bottom of the seventh off with a single, but the Lady Hornet defense sent the game into extra innings.

Neither team advanced a runner past second in the eighth inning. In the top of the ninth, ESU got a base hit and a walk, but a ground ball to Maris Ollison at third followed by a perfect throw to Torri Hinnah at first allowed LU to turn the double play and keep the score at 3-3 entering the bottom of the ninth. Kierra O'Rourke led that frame off with a double, and a two-out single from Leslie Callahan brought her home for the Blue Tiger victory.

Lincoln (9-17, 1-7 MIAA) scored its first three runs in the bottom of the first, which began with Callahan getting hit by a pitch, Abbi Conrad tallying a base hit and Ollison being issued a walk to load the bases with just one out on the board. A sacrifice fly from Gabby Newman drove in Callahan and a fielding error by ESU's first baseman allowed both Conrad and Ollison to score. A base hit by O'Rourke and a wild pitch gave LU runners on second and third, but a ground out ended the threat.

Emporia State (20-13, 4-6 MIAA) began the night cap the way Lincoln ended it, scoring in the top of the first with a base hit that allowed a runner to score from second base. LU kept the Lady Hornets off the board until the top of the fourth, when a bases-loaded walk allowed ESU to pull within 3-2. Newman caught a hard-hit line drive to keep the Lady Hornets from tying the game, and LU got ESU out in order in the top of the fifth. In the sixth, a great throw from Jamilyn Bagby to Newman turned what appeared to be an Emporia State double into a single with an out at second, and the Blue Tigers maintained their lead heading into the seventh inning.

O'Rourke went 3-for-4 at the plate, and Abby Pulliam fanned three ESU batters while Kasey Kilburn struck out one. Conrad had a team-high eight putouts, Bagby added five and Hinnah was next with four. Conrad and Ollison both turned two assists.

In the first game, it was Emporia State building an early lead, scoring a run on a ground-rule double in the top of the first before bringing in a pair of scores in the second for a 3-0 advantage. That's how the score would remain entering the bottom of the seventh, but Lincoln mounted a late rally. Emily Thompson singled and Taylor Heimbaugh came in as a pinch runner. Mackenzie Graham then singled and Madi Hampton entered to run for her. Both Heimbaugh and Hampton scored on a double by Conrad to pull LU to within one, but a fly out allowed Emporia State to escape with the win.

Conrad had three hits in the opener and Graham finished with two while Ollison, Newman and O'Rourke finished with one apiece. Paige Rademann struck out two ESU batters and Kilburn pitched a shutout in the seventh inning. Hinnah provided eight putouts and Callahan finished with four. Rademann and Newman each turned two assists while Conrad led LU with three.

Lincoln remains at home to host Washburn on Saturday (March 23) in a 1:00 p.m. CDT double-header.