CANYON, Texas - The Lincoln softball team was one out away from a victory, but Eastern New Mexico managed to force extra innings before winning, 6-3, on Saturday night (Feb. 8). That contest was the second of the day as part of the West Texas Invitational, as LU fell to Texas A&M-Kingsville, 5-1, on Saturday morning.

The Blue Tigers took the lead against Eastern New Mexico (7-2) early, as Abbi Conrad doubled to lead off the first inning before scoring on a fielder's choice. Maris Ollison, who was credited with the RBI, later scored herself on a bases-loaded walk issued to Jamilyn Bagby. Lincoln (0-4) would keep it a 2-0 game until the bottom of the third, when Lindsey Brandt scored on a ground out by Mackenzie Graham.

Back-to-back singles to open the top of the sixth heled the Greyhound offense get going, and a third base hit brought in EMNU's first run of the contest. Eastern New Mexico followed with a double to cut its deficit down to 3-2, but Jaedin Blankenship forced the first batter she faced to ground out and the next to strikeout to keep LU on top.

In the top of the seventh, the first two Greyhound batters got on base, but a strikeout and another ground out led to Lincoln being one out away from the win. A wild pitch ended up allowing ENMU to score, so, despite getting the next batter out on strikes, Lincoln was forced to go to the bottom of the seventh.

In the eighth inning, Bagby hit a double, but consecutive fielder's choices ended Lincoln's scoring threat. Eastern New Mexico capitalized in the top of the ninth, bringing in runs on a sacrifice fly and a throwing error on the same play. An RBI double made it a 6-3 contest, and, despite getting two runners on base during the bottom half of the frame, the Blue Tigers were unable to get back on the scoreboard.

Blankenship struck out five ENMU batters and Abby Pulliam fanned two. Torri Hinnah and Vanessa Cardenas additionally had hits for LU and Hinnah tallied nine putouts while Bagby posted six and Hannah Heisler and Gabby Newman each recorded three. Conrad, Bagby and Newman finished with two assists apiece.

Lincoln also scored first in its morning game, as Conrad led the game off by reaching on an error before scoring on a single from Hinnah. Lincoln's lead stood until the bottom of the fourth, when a two-out single allowed the Javelinas to tie the game. Texas A&M-Kingsville (5-4) later broke the game open in the fourth, plating four runs on two hits and three errors to take the 5-1 advantage.

The Blue Tigers loaded the bases in the top of the fifth when Josie Bezzole reached via an error, Conrad notched a base hit and Ollison was issued a walk. A strikeout stranded all three runners, however, and Lincoln was kept off the board in the final two innings. 

Both teams had four hits in the contest, with Conrad tallying two hits and Hinnah and Faith Jaegers each tallying one. Mallorey Rogers struck out a batter while Hinnah led the LU defense with eight putouts. Newman finished with four assists, Ollison recorded three and Conrad added two.

Lincoln is expected to play in two more games in the West Texas Invitational on Sunday (Feb. 9). The Blue Tigers will play a rematch against Texas A&M-Kingsville at 11:15 a.m. CST before taking on No. 13 West Texas A&M at 1:30 p.m. CST.