JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - On Senior Day, the Lincoln softball team nearly came back from a six-run deficit, but Missouri S&T held on for a 10-7 win in game two of a double-header on Friday (April 18). The Miners also took the opener, 15-4.

In the second game, Missouri S&T (14-31, 11-13 GLVC) led 6-0 through three innings. Lincoln (15-29, 6-18 GLVC) cut into that lead in the bottom of the fourth, as a double by Mackenzie Graham drove in Torri Hinnah and Jamilyn Bagby. The Miners were able to bring in an unearned in the top of the fifth, however, making it a 7-2 contest.

Vanessa Cardenas brought in Ann-Marie Simpson on an outfield single in the bottom of the fifth, but Lincoln's comeback began in earnest in the bottom of the sixth. Lindsey Brandt led the frame off with a double, Bagby was issued a walk and Hinnah singled to drive in Brandt. A base hit from Emily Thompson plated Bagby to pull the Blue Tigers to within 7-5. A perfectly laid down bunt by Simpson later allowed Chesney Luebbering to score to cut the MST lead down to 7-6.

The Miners scored three runs on two hits and a pair of errors in the seventh, putting Lincoln in a 10-6 hole. Bagby hit a solo home run during the second at-bat of the final frame, and Hinnah and Gabby Newman each got on base. A fly out ended the Blue Tiger comeback.

Josie Bezzole also had a hit and starter Abby Pulliam struck out two Miner batters while Jaedin Blankenship fanned three. Cardenas had six putouts and Bagby finished with four putouts and a team-high three assists.

The Blue Tigers scored first in the opener when Graham came home on a errant throw in the bottom of the second. Missouri S&T managed to push six runs across the plate in the top of the third, but Abbi Conrad opened the bottom half of the inning by hitting a triple. Conrad scored on a ground out by Simpson, and Cardenas hit a home run to cut the MST lead in half. Bagby later homered in the bottom of the sixth.

Conrad had two hits and Mallorey Rogers and Maddie Sechrest each notched strikeouts in the circle. Abbie Farmer and Kasey Kilburn also pitched for LU, which held a Senior Day ceremony following the opener. The honored Blue Tigers included Bagby, Brandt, Cardenas, Conrad, Farmer, Graham, Hinnah, Kilburn, Newman, Emma Rakes and Thompson.

Lincoln travels to Kansas City, Mo. next Saturday (April 26) to play a double-header against Rockhurst.