Lincoln University of Missouri

BLUE TIGERS SPLIT WITH LADY HAWKS

Lincoln University and Quincy University each recorded a win March 21 on the Lincoln University Softball Field.  The Blue Tigers (8-13 overall) were victorious in game one, 1-0, while the Lady Hawks (9-9) claimed the second game 6-2.

GAME ONE

   The only score of the game came around in the bottom of the fifth inning for the Blue Tigers.  Lesley Osborne began the inning with a single to right field.  She advanced to second base on a wild pitch by Quincy University hurler, Sarah Ormond.  Beth Arnel whacked an Ormond delivery to centerfield that scored Osborne for a 1-0 lead. 

   The Lady Hawks went three up and three down in the top of the sixth inning.  Nikki Nelke got around a lead off single by Lindsay Phillips in the seventh to lock up a 1-0 win for the Blue Tigers.

   Nelke (7-8) tossed her second shutout of the season and career for Lincoln University.  It was the lowest number of hits allowed (4) in a complete game (seven-inning) performance by Nelke.

   Osborne was 2-3 with a pair of singles and scored the Blue Tigers run.

   Three of the five runners left on base by Lincoln University were stranded in scoring position.

GAME TWO

   Jasmyn Wentland lashed two home runs to power the Lady Hawks to a 6-2 win.  She launched a solo shot in the fourth and a three run home run in the seventh, both over the left field fence. 

   Quincy University got on the board in the second inning.  Audra Heimer singled and Phillips was hit by a ball from Blue Tiger starting pitcher Jessica Fowler.  A single to centerfield by Missy Weaver caused a play at home plate.  The relay throw from Osborne (shortstop) to Arnel (catcher) was not caught, allowing Heimer to score for a 1-0 lead.  Lincoln University tied the game in the bottom of the second.  Asia Coleman got on base with a fielder’s choice as Nelke was out at second base after getting aboard with a single.  Coleman stole second and moved to third on a single by Karen Plaster.  Plaster was attempting to rob second and the Lady Hawks tried to catch her in a rundown.  Coleman seized the opportunity to score during the rundown, which landed Plaster on second base and the Blue Tigers a 1-1 tie.

   Abby Stuenkel took a walk and hustled to second on a single by Osborne.  Arnel hit a Megan Corey pitch to centerfield that scored Stuenkel for a 2-1 Lincoln University edge in the third.

   The Lady Hawks regained the lead in the fourth with two runs and scored the final three on the blast by Wentland in the sixth.

   Fowler (1-5) took the defeat, but went 2-3 at the plate with a double and single.  Arnel was 2-3 (singles) and one Run Batted In. 

   Nelke moved from first base to pitch for Fowler in the fifth inning. 

   The Blue Tigers left seven runners on base, five in scoring position.

ON DECK

The next doubleheader for Lincoln University is March 27 against Truman State University at 1:00 p.m. on the Lincoln University Softball Field.  Truman State (6-12) is scheduled to begin Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association play March 23 at Missouri Southern before challenging Lincoln University. 

   The Bulldogs hold a commanding 36-1 advantage in the series with the Blue Tigers.  The lone Blue Tiger win over the Bulldogs was a 6-5 win in Kirksville, Mo. on April 10, 1990.

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