ST. LOUIS, Mo. - The Lincoln softball team led through five innings, but Maryville scored two late runs to eke out a 6-5 win over the Blue Tigers in game two of a double-header on Sunday (March 23). Maryville also took Sunday's opener, 7-2.

The Saints brought in a pair of runs in the opening inning of game two, but the Blue Tigers were quick to respond, taking the lead with three runs in the top of the second. Torri Hinnah got on base with a single, then came home on a well-hit ball into center field by Faith Jaegers. Addie Lang followed that with a double to plate Jaegers, and Lang scored herself during the next at-bat as Josie Bezzole singled through the middle.

Maryville (14-21, 6-6 GLVC) was able to get a quick answer of its own, taking a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the second on a two-run homer. In the third inning, however, Lincoln (10-18, 1-9 GLVC) loaded the bases on walks issued to Abbi Conrad and Hinnah and a single hit by Mackenzie Graham. Although a fielder's choice retired Conrad, Hinnah and Graham were able to score on a base hit by Jaegers to put LU back on top, 5-4. Lincoln had a chance to put more runs on the board when Lang reached base on balls, loading the bags once again, but a pop out ended the threat.

Jamilyn Bagby hit a triple in the fifth inning, but neither team was able to push a run across the plate until the bottom of the sixth. Maryville's first two batters that inning hit singles, and one later scored on a base hit to tie the game at 5-5. In the seventh frame, Conrad took advantage of a hit and an error to reach second base, but ended up stranded, keeping the score deadlocked. The Saints took advantage in the bottom of the seventh, loading the bases before scoring on a throwing error.

Mallorey Rogers pitched the entire game, striking out five while giving up five earned runs. Bagby had a team-high five putouts, Conrad and Hinnah each added three and Lang and Bezzole supplied two apiece. Graham turned three assists and Rogers provided two.

Maryville also scored twice in the opening frame of game one, but neither team got on the board again until the bottom of the third, when the Saints doubled their lead with two runners scoring on wild pitches. Lincoln was able to cut its deficit in half in the top of the fourth, as Hinnah and Graham each notched base hits before scoring on a single from Jaegers. The score would stay at 4-2 until the bottom of the sixth, when a three-run homer gave MU its 7-2 final score.

Jaegers and Ann-Marie Simpson each finished with two hits while Conrad and Vanessa Cardenas each had one. Jaedin Blankenship struck out a Saint batter in a closing role while Hinnah led Lincoln defensively with five putouts. Simpson and Jaegers each were credited with three putouts, and Conrad, Lindsey Brandt and Gabby Newman each finished with two. Graham supplied four assists while Newman tallied three.

Lincoln is back at home next Saturday (March 29) to host Indianapolis in a 12:00 p.m. CDT double-header.