Lincoln University of Missouri

http://www.lincolnu.edu

SOFTBALL BLUE TIGERS BEGIN CONFERENCE, BASEBALL HOME OPENER

SOFTBALL

The Lincoln University softball team opens Heartland Conference play against Montana State University-Billings, March 9. First pitch between the Blue Tigers (3-5) and Yellowjackets (9-13) is 11:00 a.m. on the Lincoln University Softball Field.

The Yellowjackets life on the road continues as they play 36 of their first 38 games away from Cenex Stadium. This series is also the start of Heartland Conference play for Montana State University-Billings.

After winning their first two games of the season, the Blue Tigers have lost five of their last six games. Lincoln University dropped both games of a doubleheader at Missouri-Rolla, March 6, 4-0 and 16-8.

The Blue Tigers had only two hits in game one with the Lady Miners.

In the second game Lincoln University took a 6-0 first inning lead. Missouri-Rolla scored 11 runs in the second inning to lead to victory. The Blue Tigers left seven runners on the bases, including stranding two in the first, third and fifth innings.

Nikki Nelke (3-4) took the loss in the first game. Jessica Fowler (0-1) was the pitcher of record for Lincoln University in game two.

Ashley Prenger hit .500 (3-6) for the day picking up three singles and 2 Runs Batted In.

BASEBALL

The baseball Blue Tigers (2-16) open the home portion of their schedule against the Falcons from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin (4-12), March 10 on the Lincoln University Baseball Field at 12:00 p.m.

After completing their third of four Texas trips, the Blue Tigers (2-16) are optimistic that playing at home will be a factor that results in wins for what has to date been a horrid start. Lincoln University picked up one win in a four-game Heartland Conference series (March 2-3) over 25th ranked Incarnate Word before heading to Missouri-Rolla for a wood bat doubleheader on March 6. The Blue Tigers lost both games to the Miners 4-1 and 7-2.

What the Blue Tigers lack is consistent offensive production. In the latest Heartland Conference statistics, Lincoln University sits fifth out of six teams in batting average and hit production. The Blue Tigers are third in strikeouts and tied for last in stolen base attempts.

Playing 12 of their first 18 games in Heartland Conference action against three teams ranked in the NCAA Division II top 30 has given the Blue Tiger pitching staff an Earned Run Average of 9.79.

The Blue Tigers possess one of the better fielding teams in the Heartland Conference with a .944 fielding percentage.

Of the eight Blue Tigers to start in more than 50 percent of the teams games, five have a batting average of .283 or better. Troy Malesky is hitting .345 (10-29) in 13 games played and Phil Widel has a .327 average (17-52) in 18 games.

Ryan Becker, who returned to the lineup against the Cardinals hit .545 (6-11) as a designated hitter in three Heartland Conference games against then No. 26 University of the Incarnate Word. He had three doubles, three singles and one sacrifice fly in the weekend set (March 2-3). Becker had three Runs-Batted-In during the Blue Tigers 1-3 Heartland Conference weekend series in San Antonio, Texas with the Cardinals.

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