DIAMOND TEAMS BATS SILENT

Wrapping up Texas trips over the weekend with a little more than a month left in the seasons of the Lincoln University softball and baseball teams ought to give them a necessary means to focus on their remaining schedules. 

BASEBALL

   The games at Texas A&M International (Laredo, Texas) on the border between the United States and Mexico were not pitching duels.  No game was decided by less than three runs.  Two games were separated by four runs and two by six runs.  Texas A&M International pounded the Lincoln University pitching staff for a .452 batting average (48-106) and 29 Runs-Batted-In.  The Blue Tigers hit .283 (32-113), below their season average of .291. 

   The Dustdevils (25-11-1 overall) received 16 walks from Blue Tiger pitchers. The Blue Tigers (7-27) left a total of 28 runners on base (seven per game) in the weekend series.

   The baseball Blue Tigers are on their second longest winless drought of the season, a current seven game bender.  Lincoln University dropped eight in a row on the road in February in Heartland Conference play to St. Edward’s and St. Mary’s.

   The Blue Tigers have won back-to-back games twice this season, a feat they accomplished a minimum of five times in 2006.  The most recent winning streak of more than two games for Lincoln University was April 28-30, 2006 when they won three Heartland Conference games at home over Oklahoma Panhandle State University.  The series against the Aggies is the last won by the Blue Tigers.

ON DECK

   The Blue Tigers, who play 18 of their final 22 games in Missouri (16 on the LU Baseball Field), will attempt to mount a significant winning streak starting with Central Methodist University on April 3 in Fayette, Mo.  The Blue Tigers and Eagles (9-27) are to play one, nine-inning game beginning at 4:00 p.m.

   Lincoln University returns home for a four-game set with Heartland Conference team, Oklahoma Panhandle State University (5-24, 2-18 Heartland Conference) on April 6 at 12:00 p.m.  Oklahoma Panhandle was scheduled to play at Montana State University-Billings, March 30 and 31, but only made it to Casper, Wyo. before weather forced the cancellation of their travel to Billings, Mont.  The Aggies last games were March 24, a doubleheader loss to the Falcons of Texas-Permian Basin.

SCORE ALOT TO WIN MORE

   The Blue Tigers are 7-7 when they score six or more runs and 0-20 when scoring five runs or less.

SOFTBALL

   Already guaranteed a spot in the Heartland Conference Postseason Tournament, as all six teams make this year’s field, the Blue Tigers are scrambling to improve their seed, currently sixth, one game behind Oklahoma Panhandle State University.  Hindering a possible move into a top three seed has been offensive struggles, which continue to escalate. 

   Entering play with a .217 batting average, the lowest in the Heartland Conference, Lincoln University hit .177 (17-96) in a four-game series at University of the Incarnate Word, March 29-30.  Incarnate Word sprayed 29 hits in 94 bats for a .309 batting average, helping to increase their team average. The Cardinals out hit (29-17) and outscored (15-4) the Blue Tigers, which resulted in the Cardinals driving in 14 runs compared to the Blue Tigers three. 

   Incarnate Word stole seven bases over the course of the games.  Lincoln University had no stolen bases.  The Blue Tigers committed five errors in the series, the Cardinals only one.

ON DECK

   An encouraging sign for the Blue Tigers as they roar to a rousing finish is 18 of their final 22 games are in Missouri with 10 games on the LU Softball Field.  Of those last 22 games, 10 are against teams with winning records, six of those 10 games are at home, including four with National Fastpitch Coaches Association 21st ranked St. Edward’s University, April 14-15.

   The Blue Tigers (9-18) hit the road for a pair of doubleheaders.  Lincoln University travels to Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, April 3.  The Cougars (24-7) are tied for 5th in the most recent NFCA poll.  The Blue Tigers are 0-15 all-time against the Cougars.

   Lincoln University heads to Quincy University (15-13), April 4 with action to begin at 2:00 p.m. 

   The softball team goes to Missouri Southern State University this weekend.  The Blue Tigers will wrap up their rain delayed game from March 20 and play a second game on April 6, before a doubleheader on April 7 in Joplin, Mo.  The Lions lead the all-time series with the Blue Tigers 20-0.

   The Blue Tigers come home for an April 10 doubleheader with the Lady Miners of Missouri-Rolla (15-10) at 2:00 p.m.

   Still an attainable goal for the 2007 Lincoln University softball team is setting a season high victory total.  The Blue Tigers had their best season in 1999-2000 as an independent going 17-31. 

SCORE FIRST, HOLD ON

   When the Blue Tigers score first they are 7-2.  The Blue Tigers are 2-16 when the opponent gets the initial run of the game. 

   Lincoln University is 6-1 when they score in the first inning.  The Blue Tigers are 7-3 when they score three or more runs. 

   The Blue Tigers are 7-3 in games decided by two-runs or less.  Lincoln University is 6-0 when leading or tied going into the seventh inning.

more sports news...