BOLIVAR, Mo. - Five members of the Lincoln softball team had multiple hits as the Blue Tigers won their GLVC opener, 10-4, over Southwest Baptist on Saturday (March 14). The Blue Tigers ended up splitting the double-header, as the Bearcats took game two, 7-3.

The opener on Saturday was a back-and-forth affair early. Gracie Wright got the Blue Tigers on the board in top of the first by driving in Hannah Heisler, who led the frame off with a single, on a base hit. In the bottom of the third, SBU tied the game on a ground out, then took a 2-1 advantage on an RBI single. The momentum swung back in the Blue Tigers' favor in the top of the second, as Wright picked up her second and third RBI of the day with a double that plated Heisler and Ann-Marie Simpson.

Southwest Baptist (12-14, 1-1 GLVC) scored two runs on two hits in the bottom of the second to regain the lead, 4-3. Lincoln (9-6, 1-1 GLVC) quickly tied the contest in the third, however, as Kierra O'Rourke reached on a walk, stole second and then scored on a double hit by Reese Smith. Heisler gave LU the lead for good later in the frame by scoring on a bases-loaded walk issued to Heisler.

A base hit from Simpson drove in Josie Bezzole to increase the LU lead to 6-4 heading into the bottom of the third inning. Lincoln defensively posted three-consecutive 1-2-3 innings and stranded two Bearcat runners on base in the sixth to clinch the victory. Lincoln was able to pad its lead in the top of the fifth, as Heisler and Simpson both scored on a fielder's choice that was compounded by a throwing error. Also in the fifth, O'Rourke plated Faith Jaegers with a single and later scored on SBU's second error of the frame.

Heisler scored three runs on two hits, Simpson led the Blue Tigers with three hits and Wright, Jaegers and O'Rourke each finished with two hits. Smith, Bezzole and Ella Percival also had hits as Lincoln ended the contest with a 14-8 advantage in that statistic. Abby Pulliam pitched the complete game and struck out four batters. On defense, Josie Stewart posted six putouts, Jaegers finished with five and Bezzole supplied four. Wright added four assists and Percival provided three while Smith had two.

In the second contest, Southwest Baptist built a 5-0 lead before Lincoln got on the board in the top of the fourth. Wright led that inning off with a single and later scored on an outfield hit from TK Lawson. Paige Rees drove in Smith on an outfield single of her own, and a throwing error allowed Danyel Heppner to reach the plate, cutting the Bearcat lead down to 5-3.

That was as close as the Blue Tigers would get to rallying, however, as SBU scored two more runs in the bottom of the fourth and stranded two LU players in scoring position during the final three innings. Wright had two hits while Heisler recorded one.

Mallorey Rogers notched a pair of strikeouts as LU's starter in the circle. Jaegers led the defense with six putouts and Rees tallied three. Wright ended the game with four assists.

Lincoln will return to Jefferson City on Sunday morning (March 15) to host Drury in an 11:00 a.m. CDT double-header.