JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Lincoln softball team had nine hits, but dropped both games of a double-header to McKendree, the No. 18 team in the American Fastpitch Coaches Association Division II poll, on Sunday (March 29). The Bearcats took the opener, 8-0, and won the second game, 12-4.

Hannah Heisler and Ann-Marie Simpson each had hits in Sunday's first game while closer Abrea Simmons fanned three Bearcat batters. McKendree (28-8, 9-3 GLVC) took a 1-0 lead into the third inning, but scored three runs in each of the next two frames to take control of the contest. Lincoln (11-12, 3-7 GLVC) was led defensively by Josie Stewart with six putouts. Faith Jaegers had three assists and Gracie Wright supplied two.

McKendree also scored early in the second game, using an RBI triple and an RBI single to push runners across the plate in the top of the opening frame. In the bottom of the first, Heisler hit a double, reached third on a wild pitch, then cut the LU deficit down to 2-1 on a sacrifice bunt from Simpson. 

The Bearcats scored again in the second inning to regain a 2-1 advantage, then added three runs in the third to go ahead 6-1. The Blue Tigers cut the lead in half again in the bottom of the third when Simpson and Ella Percival each scored on a fielding error. 

Faith Jaegers added the fourth and final run of the day for LU in the bottom of the fifth when she scored on a single hit by TK Lawson. Heisler led the Blue Tigers with three hits while Jaegers, Lawson, Josie Bezzole and Reese Smith each had one. Abby Pulliam rang up three strikeouts in the circle and Mallorey Rogers notched one. Kierra O'Rourke posted a team-high four putouts while Simpson and Heisler each recorded three.

Up next for Lincoln is a rare four-game non-conference series against LeMoyne-Owen. The Blue Tigers travel to Memphis, Tenn. to play the Magicians on Tuesday (March 31) in a 3:00 p.m. CDT double-header. Lincoln will play another twinbill against LeMoyne-Owen on Wednesday (April 1), with first pitch scheduled for 12:00 p.m. CDT.