JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Lincoln softball team's historic 2026 campaign came to a close on Sunday (May 3) with the Blue Tigers dropping a double-header to Rockhurst. Late runs helped the Hawks win the opener, 3-0, and LU's rally in the second game came up short as RU pulled out a 7-3 victory.
Lincoln shattered its record for wins in a single season, as the Blue Tigers end the season 23-24 overall and 9-19 in GLVC play.Â
Both teams' starting pitchers were sharp through the first four innings of game, with neither allowing a run to cross the plate.
Mallorey Rogers notched a strikeout and stranded six Rockhurst runners on base during those four frames, but the Hawks finally broke through on a sacrifice fly in the top of the fifth. Rockhurst tacked on a pair of insurance runs in the sixth on an RBI single and an LU error.
Maddie Sechrest closed the game with a 1-2-3 defensive inning and
Joss Marriott also pitched in the opener.
Hannah Heisler had two hits while
Ann-Marie Simpson and
Josie Stewart each had one. Stewart led LU's defense with seven putouts while Simpson and
Gracie Wright each finished with four. Wright, Rogers,
Faith Jaegers and
Ella Percival each turned two assists.
In the second game, Rockhurst (30-18, 17-10 GLVC) scored twice in both the second and third innings to take an early advantage. The Blue Tigers cut that deficit in half in the bottom of the third, as Simpson started the rally by stealing second base. Heisler moved her to third with a single, then got into scoring position herself on a wild pitch.
Kierra O'Rourke drove in both players with a double into center field.
Rockhurst responded with a three-run fourth inning, but Lincoln had three-up, three-down defensive frames in the fifth and the sixth before stranding an RU runner in the seventh. The Blue Tigers attempted to mount a two-out rally in the bottom of the fifth, beginning with a single from Stewart followed by an RU error that allowed Wright to score.
Maris Ollison was later issued a walk to load the bases, but the Hawks recorded a strikeout to maintain the four-run advantage.
Sechrest started the game and had a pair of strikeouts in the circle.
Abby Pulliam pitched two innings in relief work while
Jaedin Blankenship had a strikeout as LU's closer. Percival, Simpson, Stewart, O'Rourke, Heisler and Wright each had hits. Stewart posted four putouts while
Josie Bezzole had two.
Paige Rees led LU with four assists.
Sunday was also LU's Senior Day, and the Blue Tigers held a special postgame ceremony to honor their eight graduating players: Ollison, Bezzole, Stewart, Sechrest, Simpson, Rogers,
Jordy Watkins and
Kori Bullard.
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