Box Score 1 | Box Score 2


JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Lincoln softball team had the lead with two outs in the fourth inning, but three unearned runs in that frame helped Central Oklahoma take a 6-1 victory in the second game of a double-header on Saturday afternoon (April 6). The Bronchos, who entered the weekend ranked No. 8 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division II poll, also won the opener, 8-0.

Taylor Heimbaugh led the bottom of the second inning of game two off with a double and scored on a double hit by Emily Thompson for the first lead of the contest. Thompson eventually advanced to third, but that was as close as LU would come to extending its lead. Three straight fly outs, all caught by Heimbaugh, kept UCO off the scoreboard in the third inning, but the Bronchos turned a double play in the bottom half of the frame to keep the Blue Tiger lead at 1-0.

Starter Abby Pulliam struck out the first two UCO batters she faced in the top of the fourth, but the Bronchos loaded the bases with a triple, a hit by pitch and a walk. Mallorey Rogers entered the game in the circle and nearly stranded all three runners, but a dropped fly ball gave UCO a 3-1 advantage. Pulliam and Rogers combined to strike out four Broncho batters while allowing only five hits.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, with the Blue Tigers still down 3-1, LU loaded the bases when Kierra O'Rourke was hit by a pitch, Leslie Callahan was issued a walk and Torri Hinnah singled into right field. Thanks in part to a fielder's choice that resulted in an out at the plate, however, the Bronchos kept the Blue Tigers off the scoreboard. Central Oklahoma (33-7, 13-1 MIAA) hit a two-run homer in the top of the sixth and tacked on an insurance run in the seventh to complete the scoring.

Lincoln (11-24, 3-14 MIAA) had six hits, with Hinnah going 3-for-4 at the plate. Abbi Conrad also had a hit and two assists, Gabby Newman provided three putouts and three assists and Hinnah led the defense with eight putouts. Heimbaugh finished with five putouts and Jamilyn Bagby was next with three.

In the opener, Central Oklahoma only had seven hits, but used them strategically to score its eight runs, starting with a four-run first inning. The Blue Tigers, meanwhile, were held to three hits, one each by Maris Ollison, Heimbaugh and Thompson. Kasey Kilburn struck out two UCO batters and Joss Marriott fanned one. Defensively, Hinnah had five putouts while Newman and Thompson each recorded four. Conrad and Newman both had three assists.

Lincoln will travel to Hays, Kan. next Friday (April 12) to play a double-header against Fort Hays State. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. CDT.