LEBANON, Ill. - The Lincoln softball team dropped both games of a double-header against McKendree on Saturday afternoon (March 22). LU fell in the opener, 11-1, and lost the second game, 5-0. McKendree entered the games ranked No. 22 in the American Fastpitch Coaches Association's Division II poll.

The Blue Tigers scored the first run of the afternoon in the top of the first inning in game one, as Ann-Marie Simpson reached the plate on a wild pitch. Simpson originally reached on an error, took second on a walk issued to Lindsey Brandt and moved to third on a base hit by Abbi Conrad. LU was held to only one more hit afterwards, however, as Josie Bezzole had an outfield single in the second inning.

Jaedin Blankenship tallied a strikeout in the circle while Torri Hinnah led LU with five putouts. Conrad notched three assists and Blankenship finished with two.

In the second game, McKendree (23-12, 9-3 GLVC) scored four runs on four hits and two errors in the bottom of the second to take control of the contest. Lincoln (10-16, 1-7 GLVC) had opportunities for offense, including in the top half of the second, as Faith Jaegers reached on balls and Mackenzie Graham lined a base hit into center field. In the third inning, Bezzole, Brandt and Conrad each singled to load the bases. Meanwhile, in the fourth inning, Graham hit a double and later advanced to third on sacrifice bunt laid down by Hannah Heisler.

Bezzole matched Graham with two hits in the night cap while Mallorey Rogers and Maddie Sechrest each had strikeouts in the circle. Bezzole finished with four putouts while Hinnah, Jaegers and Heisler each tallied three and Gabby Newman supplied two. Newman also recorded a team-high three assists.

Lincoln travels to St. Louis, Mo. on Sunday (March 23) to play Maryville in a 1:00 p.m. CDT double-header.