JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Lincoln softball team swept its third-straight home double-header on Friday (March 7), beating Parkside in a pair of games at LU Softball Field. The Blue Tigers scored eight unanswered runs in the first game to win, 8-7, and led from start to finish in a 5-2 victory in the second contest.

After a scoreless first inning in the opener, Parkside (9-7) scored seven combined runs in the second and third frames on six hits and two errors. Lincoln (8-8) began its rally in the bottom of the third, as Gabby Newman was issued a walk, stole second, took third on a base hit by Ann-Marie Simpson and reached the plate on a ground out by Lindsey Brandt. 

The offense really started to click in the bottom of the fifth, which began with Hannah Heisler hitting a double down the left field line. Simpson scored her with a two-base of her own before Brandt hit a double to drive in Simpson. An RBI single from Mackenzie Graham later scored Brandt to pull the Blue Tigers within 7-4.

Kierra O'Rourke led off the sixth with a double and Emma Rakes reached base via a walk to set up Lincoln's next two runs. A sacrifice bunt laid down by Heisler advanced both runners, and a ground out from Emily Thompson brought in O'Rourke. Rakes later scored on an infield single from Abbi Conrad. 

The Blue Tigers defensively forced a three-up, three-down inning, then completed the comeback in the bottom of the seventh. Lincoln loaded the bases on a walk by Torri Hinnah, a single by Graham and another walk issued to O'Rourke. Addie Lang and Josie Bezzole entered as pinch runners, and both scored when Faith Jaegers hit a double into center field. 

Kasey Kilburn got the win in a relief role, striking out two while allowing only three hits. Hinnah led LU with four putouts while Conrad, Simpson, Brandt and Heisler each had three. Graham turned three assists.

In game two, the Blue Tigers had a shutout going through five innings, and Lincoln took the lead in the first when Hinnah drove in Simpson on an infield base hit. The score would remain 1-0 until the bottom of the fifth, which began with a base hit by Heisler. Bezzole followed with a single into right center field, and Lincoln loaded the bases when Conrad was hit by a pitch. A fielding error allowed Heisler to score, then Brandt hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Bezzole. A hit by Hinnah deep into center field allowed both Simpson and Conrad to score, giving Lincoln a 5-0 advantage.

Jaedin Blankenship struck out a batter en route to earning the win, with Abby Pulliam closing the game in the circle. O'Rourke and Conrad also tallied hits, and Hinnah led Lincoln with 11 putouts. Graham and Conrad each recorded three assists while Lang provided two.

The Blue Tigers will travel to Springfield, Mo. on Saturday (March 8) to open GLVC play with a double-header against Drury. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. CST.