Lincoln University of Missouri

GO-GO BLUE TIGERS WIPE OUT AGGIES

For the first time in the Blue Tigers existence as a member of the Heartland Conference, the Lincoln University softball tea, swept a Heartland Conference series.  The Blue Tigers overcame a rash of errors in the weekend set (2.25 per game) to raise their record to 14-27, doubling their seven wins in 2006.

   On day one Lincoln University had five errors in each game, but managed to score enough runs, holding off Oklahoma Panhandle State University, 9-8, 8-7. 

   Beth Arnel (so., C) was 3-for-3 in game one with a triple and two singles and recorded four Runs-Batted-In.  Karen Plaster (fr., OF) went 2-for-2 (singles) and knocked in an RBI.  Asia Coleman and Nikki Nelke each went 2-for-4 in the game.  Nelke got the victory to move to 8-17.

   Pacing the offense to a win in game two were Lesley Osborne (2-of-3, home run, single), Ashley Prenger (2-of-4, singles, 3 RBI) and Abby Stuenkel (2-of-4).  Jessica Fowler took the win (4-10).

   The Blue Tigers concluded the home portion of their season with Senior Day festivities for Lesley Osborne on April 22.  Lincoln University won in grand fashion in the opener 10-2 in five innings and 7-3 in the final.  The run-rule victory in the beginning game of the day was the first for head coach Lori Reyes at Lincoln University.

   Jessica Fowler, Nelke and Arnel each had two hits in the game for the Blue Tigers.  Nelke went to 9-17 with the victory.

   In the last home game of the 2007 season, the offensive wealth was shared.  Arnel picked up three hits, while Fowler, Plaster and Stuenkel each had two.  Fowler (5-10) recorded the win.

   Two Blue Tiger student-athletes played important roles in helping their team to five wins in eight games last week.

  Arnel hit a sizzling .643 (9-of-14) in the sweep of Oklahoma Panhandle State University, April 21-22.  She had three multi-hit games against the Aggies to double her season multi-hit games total to six.

   For the week Arnel hit .409 (9-of-22) with two extra base hits (double, triple) helping the Blue Tigers win five of eight games.  She received four walks, struck out twice and aided her team by sacrificing twice in her 22 at-bats. 

   Arnel has started in each of the Blue Tigers 41 games this season.  Her batting average increased nearly .40 this week to a team high .259 from .221.

   Jessica Fowler (5-10) was 3-0 in her starts for the week of April 16-22.  In a 6-4 victory at Rockhurst (Mo.) University on April 17, Fowler pitched 8.2 innings to earn the win.  In a pair of complete game victories over Oklahoma Panhandle State University, Fowler gave up an average of two earned runs. 

   She logged 25.2 innings of in ring action this week and allowed 1.27 hits-per-inning. 

   Fowler is 9th in the Heartland Conference in complete games (9), 10th in games started (16) and 12th in Earned Run Average (4.68).

   Her ERA was reduced .50 this week to 4.68, after allowing only 2.25 earned runs per appearance.

IT ONLY TAKES NINE

   For 57 out of the 58 days the Lincoln University softball team has been in season, the Blue Tigers have sported a roster of nine, the bare minimum needed to start a ballgame.  A brief 24 hour span March 6-7 saw a bump in the Blue Tigers roster to 10, then unforeseen circumstances forced the roster back to nine.  No matter the number of student-athletes on the field for Lincoln University, a season of achievement by “the divine nine” drove them to step on the field prepared to accomplish more than anyone thought was possible. 

   While always outnumbered, the Blue Tigers know the game is not about lengthy rosters or keeping their uniforms pristine.  The Lincoln University softball team has dedicated themselves to perfecting the little things in the game to have success.  It took the majority of the season to produce consistent play, but the result of the labor by the Blue Tigers is apparent.  The Blue Tigers have won four games in a row and five of their last eight, heading into their first Heartland Conference Tournament appearance since 2005. 

   The Blue Tigers (14-27) have doubled their win total from 2006 (7).  Lincoln University is poised to win more games than in 2005 (9) and 2006 combined.  The softball team is three wins shy of tying the all-time victories in a season (17) record set in 2000 and four wins away from establishing a new standard.

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