Lincoln University of Missouri

LADY HAWKS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF BLUE TIGER ERRORS

A combined nine errors directly correlates to Lincoln University losing both ends of a doubleheader to Quincy University, April 4 at the Mart Heinen Softball Complex in Quincy, Ill.  The Lady Hawks won game one 8-1 and the evening ender 7-2.

   While both teams were exposed to the mind and hand numbing temperature and blustery conditions, it seemed to affect the Blue Tigers more.  It appeared the Blue Tigers hands morphed into giant masses of stone, which hampered their ability to cleanly field and throw the softball.  A heater in the Lady Hawks dugout made them warmer than the Blue Tigers, which resulted in only four errors by the Lady Hawks.

   In the first game the Blue Tigers spotted the Lady Hawks three runs in the first two innings.  Each of the three runs was a direct result of an error by the Blue Tigers.

   Karen Plaster (1-2) had the only Run Batted In of the game for Lincoln University.  The freshman from Russellville, Mo. drove in Beth Arnel in the fifth inning to make the score 5-1.  Arnel started the inning with a single to leftfield and ran to second on a ball off the bat of Nikki Nelke that caused an error by Quincy University shortstop Lindsay Phillips.  Nelke ended the inning stranded on third base, when Plaster was caught stealing to stop the Blue Tiger rally.

   Of the four Blue Tigers saddled on the bases Ashley Prenger was the lone other Blue Tiger left in scoring position.  She was stuck at second base in the first inning. 

   Nelke (7-12) took the loss for Lincoln University. 

   The Lady Hawks put a pair of runs on the board in each of the first three innings to take control of game two 6-0.  Three of the six runs were attributable to Lincoln University errors. 

   The Blue Tigers got on the scoreboard in the top of the third inning to make the score 4-1.  Plaster reached on error by Audra Heimer (third base) and continued to second base on the play.  A single to right field by Lesley Osborne brought Plaster home.

   Quincy University added a run in the bottom of the fourth to extend the lead to 7-1.  Lincoln University pushed across their second run in the fifth inning narrowing the score to the 7-2 final.  Abby Stuenkel reached on a force out of Osborne, who began the inning with a single to centerfield.  Jessica Fowler painted a single down the leftfield line giving Stuenkel time to run to third base.  A single by Arnel to the shortstop was deep enough for Stuenkel to score. 

   Fowler (2-8) recorded the loss for the Blue Tigers. 

   Arnel was 3-for-4 at the plate hitting three singles and driving in a run.  Osborne went 2-for-4 at the dish (singles) and had the other Lincoln University RBI. 

   The nine hits generated by Lincoln University are third most by the Blue Tigers this season. 

   The Blue Tigers left two or more runners on base in six of the seven innings.  Lincoln University left 14 runners on base, including 10 in scoring position.  The Blue Tigers ended the fifth inning by leaving the bases loaded.

   Lincoln University is 9-9 when producing four or more hits.  The Blue Tigers are 6-1 when they score in the first inning.  When the opponent scores first, Lincoln University is 2-18.  The Blue Tigers are 7-11 when they commit an error or less. 

   The Blue Tigers (9-20) take on the Lady Miners of Missouri-Rolla at 1:00 p.m., April 10 on the LU Softball Field.

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