HAYS, Kan. - The Lincoln softball team broke a scoreless in the top of the sixth inning to beat Fort Hays State, 1-0, in the second game of a double-header on Friday (April 12). FHSU won the opener, 4-0. 

The Blue Tigers stranded seven FHSU runners on base to win the second game as Abby Pulliam struck out three batters to get the shutout win. In the bottom of the fourth, the Lincoln (12-26, 4-16 MIAA) defense was especially stiff, as Fort Hays State (18-20, 4-12 MIAA) hit a pair of singles and took advantage of a walk to load the bases with just one out on the board. Pulliam forced the next batter to hit a grounder towards second base, and Abbi Conrad threw the leadoff runner out at home to keep FHSU off the board. Another ground out ended the inning with all three runners still on base.

Emily Thompson opened the sixth inning with a base hit through the middle and Brooklyn Smith entered the game to run for her. Lindsey Brandt was issued a walk to move Smith to second and a passed ball ended up sending Smith to third. Leslie Callahan then grounded out to the FHSU second baseman for the game-winning RBI. Fort Hays State managed to get a runner on third base in the bottom of the sixth, but Pulliam forced two more outs to keep Lincoln's lead intact. In the seventh inning, the LU defense got each of FHSU's first three batters out to seal the victory.

Gabby Newman hit a double and Brandt had a base hit for LU, and Newman provided four assists while Conrad tallied three. Torri Hinnah had nine putouts to lead the Lincoln defense while Taylor Heimbaugh had five and Thompson finished with four.

In the opening frame of the first game, Callahan and Conrad each got into scoring position, but a strikeout kept both runners on base. In the fourth inning, Maris Ollison singled into right center field and Newman and Heimbaugh were each issued walks, but Fort Hays State managed to strand al three Blue Tigers. LU also had a chance to get on board in the top of the fifth, as Brandt led the frame off with a base hit, but later was thrown out at the plate.

The Blue Tigers kept FHSU off the board until the bottom of the fifth, when a two-RBI double broke the tie. A fielding error later allowed Fort Hays State to extend its lead to 3-0, and a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the sixth resulted in an unearned run scoring to provide FHSU the 4-0 advantage.

Paige Rademann, who turned three assists, allowed only two earned runs and notched a strikeout in the circle while Mallorey Rogers gave up just one hit in a relief effort. Ollison had two hits and a pair of assists while Hinnah posted a team-high eight putouts.

The Blue Tigers head to Kearney, Neb. on Saturday (April 13) to play Nebraska Kearney in a 1:00 p.m. CDT double-header.