SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The Lincoln softball team played its first-ever GLVC contests on Saturday (March 8), dropping a pair of close games to Drury, 2-1 and 7-4.

Although Drury (6-10, 2-0 GLVC) managed to record eight hits in the opener, Abby Pulliam allowed only two runs in the opener while striking out four Panther batters. The first run of the day didn't come until the fourth inning, when a double allowed a Drury runner to score from first base. Lincoln (8-10, 0-2 GLVC) answered in the top of the sixth, as Gabby Newman led the frame off with a double and later reached the plate. In the bottom of the seventh, LU got one out on a fielder's choice and another on a fly ball to center field, but a base hit allowed the winning run to score.

Torri Hinnah recorded a team-high six putouts while Newman, Abbi Conrad and Kierra O'Rourke were each responsible for four. Newman and Mackenzie Graham each turned three assists, Conrad recorded two and Pulliam finished with one.

There was more offense in the second game, though the scoring did not begin until the top of the third. Newman again was the catalyst, as she opened the frame with a base hit into left field. She ended up called out on a fielder's choice that allowed Josie Bezzole to reach base, and Bezzole moved to second on a single from Emma Rakes. Conrad drove both runners in on a triple, giving LU the early 2-0 advantage.

Lincoln's lead held until the bottom of the fourth, when Drury tied the game on an RBI double and a sacrifice fly. Later in the fourth, another double allowed the Panthers to take a 3-2 lead. Drury padded its lead in the fifth by bringing in three more runs on two hits and two errors.

The Blue Tigers began their comeback in the top of the sixth when Addie Lang was issued a walk, Graham recorded a base hit and Faith Jaegers singled into the outfield, scoring Lang. After a DU pitching change, a wild pitch allowed Graham to score, pulling LU to within 6-4 of the Panthers. Drury added an insurance run in the bottom half of the frame on a double steal, however, and Lincoln left a runner stranded on second during the final inning.

Lincoln out-hit Drury, 9-8, with Conrad going 4-for-4 at the plate. Jaegers had two hits while Bezzole had one. Kasey Kilburn struck out two DU batters and Hinnah again led LU in putouts, recording seven. Conrad finished with five assists.

The Blue Tigers continue GLVC play on Sunday (March 9), as Lincoln returns home to host Southwest Baptist at LU Softball FIeld in a 12:00 p.m. CST double-header.