Lincoln University of Missouri

COUGARS PLAY LONG BALL TO DEFEAT BLUE TIGERS

Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville won two games against Lincoln University by run ruling the home team in non-conference action Feb. 28 on the Lincoln University Softball Field.

   The Cougars walloped three home runs in an 8-0 game one victory.  Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville sprayed 11 hits in winning game two 11-2.

   Lincoln University is 2-2 and SIU-E raises their record to 5-2. 

   The Cougars are ranked No. 5 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division II Preseason Top 25 poll.

   The last three times the Cougars and Blue Tigers have played, the Blue Tigers have been run ruled. 

   The next games for Lincoln University are March 4 with Newman University at 12:00 p.m. on Lincoln University Softball Field.

GAME ONE

   Ashley Price hit a two-out solo home run in the top of the first inning for a 1-0 SIUE lead. 

   A four-run second inning put the Cougars in front 5-0.  Sabra McCune began the inning with a single to leftfield.  A bunt single by Jodie Ohlau moved McCune to second base.  Nicole Beecher drove a Nelke throw over the left centerfield fence for a three-run home run.  Kaeleigh Rousey doubled to leftfield.  She scored on a fly ball to leftfield by Courtney Mall. 

   SIU-E led 6-0 after McCune helped her own cause by launching a lead off home run in the third.

   The final runs of the game were scored in the fourth inning.  Mall received a walk to begin the inning.  Price belted a pitch for a two-run home run past the leftfield fence to win game one 8-0.

   A single by Abby Stuenkel in the fifth inning was the only hit of the game for the Blue Tigers. 

GAME TWO

   Ohlau started the game by singling to leftfield, then stealing second.   Ashley Price got aboard after being hit by a pitch.  A double-steal by the Cougars gave them runners on second and third.  Ohlau scored on the steal of third base as an error was made by Heather Heimericks (third base).  Ohlau drew a throw from Beth Arnel (catcher) and Heimericks misplayed the throw from Arnel.  The mistake allowed Ohlau to score.  Mallory Ruggles drove a base hit to leftfield that scored Price for a 2-0 edge.

   The Cougars scored three in the third to lead 5-0.  Mall walked and ran to second on a McCune single to right field.  A double to right centerfield by Ruggles, scored Mall and moved McCune to third.  Beecher got on base with a fielder’s choice as Arnel forced out McCune in a brief rundown.  During the rundown, Ruggles hustled to third and Beecher scurried to second.  A single by Lauren Zembruski to leftfield plated Ruggles and Beecher.

   Lincoln University picked up two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning.  Heimericks singled down the leftfield line to get on base.  Stuenkel popped her second home run of the young season inside of the leftfield foul pole to narrow the score to 5-2. 

   SIU-E had 10 at-bats in the fifth inning.  Ruggles began the fifth inning with a single to leftfield.  Katy Biggs came on to pinch run for Ruggles.  Beecher singled to centerfield and ran to second on the throw, Biggs headed for third.  Biggs scored and Beecher cruised to third on a fly-out by Zembruski to Asia Coleman in centerfield.  Chaleen Rumpf hit a single to right field that scored Beecher.  Rousey followed with a single.  A double-steal found Rumpf on third and Rousey at second.  Mall hit a single to right field, scoring Rumpf and Rousey.  Mall stole second and Price took a free pass.  Mall scored and Price moved to third on an error by shortstop Lesley Osborne who bobbled a McCune drive.  A Biggs single to centerfield scored Price to end the scoring for the Cougars, who won 11-2.

   Abby Stuenkel was 1-for-2 with 2 Runs-Batted-In. 

   Nikki Nelke is 2-2. 

   The Blue Tigers committed three errors in game two.  The Cougars scored two runs off the three errors by the Blue Tigers.

more sports news...