SOFTBALL SPLITS – GOLF IMPROVES

The Lincoln University softball team won the back end of a doubleheader against Truman State University on the LU Softball Field, March 27.  The Blue Tigers plated four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to prevail 4-3.

   The men’s golf team completed the KickingBird Classic in Edmond, Okla. in 14th place.  The Blue Tigers shot a top-10 score of 289 in the second day of competition.  Lincoln University was eight strokes away from tying for 11th. 

SOFTBALL

   For the first time since 1990 and only the second occurrence in the history of the Lincoln University softball program, the Blue Tigers (9-14) beat the Bulldogs (7-13) of Truman State University.  The Blue Tigers won the second game of the doubleheader 4-3 with all four runs coming in the bottom of the seventh inning.

GAME ONE

   A four-run first inning by Truman State University was enough in a 9-2 win.  The Bulldogs scored those early runs off of two hits and two errors by the Blue Tigers. 

   Truman State University had a five-run fifth to put Lincoln University on the precipice of being run-ruled.  The Blue Tigers responded with two runs in the bottom of the fifth.  Karen Plaster dropped a bunt down for a single.  Plaster scored on a triple down the right field line by Ashley Prenger.  Kelsey Barnard delivered a single to leftfield that pushed Prenger home. 

   The Blue Tigers left eight runners on base. 

   Nelke (7-9) took the loss for Lincoln University.  Katie Jeannin (2-4) was the winner for Truman State University.

   Jessica Fowler was 2-for-3 with a pair of singles for the Blue Tigers.

GAME TWO

   The Blue Tigers slow start almost proved dooming, but they fought from behind to claim a 4-3 victory. 

   The Bulldogs scored two runs in the fourth inning and were threatening to add more.  The Blue Tigers and Fowler (starting pitcher) got out of the inning with a pop-up to Prenger at second base by Dani Mayer and groundout to Abby Stuenkel in the hot corner by Sherri Johnson to leave runners on second and third. 

   An error in the fifth inning allowed Truman State University to tack on a safety run.

   Lincoln University had only two hits through the first six innings of the game. 

   The Blue Tigers procrastinated until the seventh inning before rallying to win.  Lesley Osborne singled to left field and Beth Arnel drew a walk.  Nelke smacked a single to right field that loaded the bases.  Osborne scored when catcher Hallie Blackney dropped the ball after Asia Coleman hit the ball into the middle infield.  The fielder’s choice by Coleman left the bases jammed for Plaster, who walked to make the score 3-2.  Prenger was hit by a pitch to tie the game 3-3.  Barnard, a freshman from Jefferson City High School walloped a Jeannin delivery deep to centerfield for the game-winning hit that scored Nelke for the 4-3 come from behind triumph.

   Fowler (2-5) picked up her first home win as a Blue Tiger.  Jeannin (2-5) came on in the top of the fourth inning and surrendered the lead.

   Nelke was 2-for-3 with two singles.  Barnard went 1-for-2 at the dish hitting the game-clinching hit for the most important Run Batted In of the game.  Plaster and Prenger each had an RBI. 

   The Blue Tigers left six runners on base.  Runners were beached at third base in the third and fourth innings, while the fifth ended with Coleman stuck on second base.  The game concluded with three runners on base at the completion of the Barnard drive.

ON DECK

   Lincoln University (9-14 overall, 1-6 Heartland Conference) departs for a Thursday-Friday set of four Heartland Conference games in San Antonio, Texas at University of the Incarnate Word (12-22, 2-8), March 29-30.  The Blue Tigers are 1-4 all-time against the Cardinals.  The only win for Lincoln University over University of the Incarnate Word was April 26, 2002.  In that first game of the 2002 Heartland Conference Tournament, the favored Cardinals were beaten 9-1 by the Blue Tigers on the LU Softball Field.

GOLF

   St. Edward’s surged from four strokes back and fourth place after day one to win the team title by a stroke (836) over Central Oklahoma (837), March 27 at the KickingBird Classic in Edmond, Okla.  Abilene (Texas) Christian University was third with 839 strokes.  Four of the five St. Edward’s Hilltoppers were in the top-16, shooting a 213 or lower.

  The Hilltoppers Blake Slaughter was the individual champion with a three round total of 201.  Mitch Boles from Central Oklahoma was second (204).  Jamie Amoretti of St. Mary’s finished third (205).

   Aaron Murphy had his best collegiate meet, leading the Blue Tigers with an eight over par 218.  Rodolfo Gamino was second for Lincoln University at 219.  Three Blue Tigers shot a two over par 72 on the second day of competition (Dan Frost, Murphy and Kortland Ware), Gamino carded a 73 and Keith Ware came in with a 76.

            Teams                                                  Scores                                     

                                                Day One R1      Day One R2      Day Two            FINAL

1          St. Edward’s                  286                   278                   272                   836                  

2          Central Oklahoma          289                   273                   275                   837

3          Abilene Christian (TX)     285                   275                   279                   839

4          St. Mary’s (TX)               288                   274                   281                   843

5          Midwestern (TX) State    290                   281                   280                   851

6          SW Okla. State             294                   280                   279                   853                  

7          Northeastern Okla. St.    299                   278                   277                   854

8          Texas A&M-Commerce  301                   286                   290                   877

9          Rockhurst (Mo.)             298                   292                   288                   878

10         West Texas A&M          305                   286                   289                   880

11         East Central (Okla.)       291                   300                   293                   884

12         SE Okla. State              296                   295                   297                   888

13         Dallas (TX) Baptist         297                   295                   298                   890

14         Lincoln University           310                   293                   289                   892

15         Neb. - Kearney              307                   291                   296                   894

            14   Lincoln University                            310       293       289       892      

                        T 36      Aaron Murphy                72         74         72         218

                        T 41      Rodolfo Gamino             78         68         73         219

                        T 59      Dan Frost                     79         75         72         226

                        T 70      Kortland Ware               81         76         72         229

                        T 78      Keith Ware                   81         76         76         233

                        T 83      Matthew Cromer            88         75         78         241

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