AUSTIN, Tex. – The Lincoln University softball team jumped right into Heartland Conference action, as St. Edward’s took both games from the Blue Tigers, 6-1, and 11-4 Friday at Diane Daniels Field.
Lincoln (0-4, 0-2 HC) received a solid pitching performance from sophomore Olivia Durrell over the first three innings, as the game remained scoreless into the fourth inning of game one.
The Blue Tigers scored first in the top of the fourth, as sophomore Megan Braun leadoff the frame with a double to center and later came all the way home on a throwing error by the shortstop to give Lincoln the 1-0 lead.
St. Edward’s (13-10, 2-0 HC) answered right back in the bottom of the fourth, as a two-run home run put the Hilltoppers in front, 2-1.
After St. Edward’s added three more runs in the fifth, Lincoln loaded the bases in the sixth.
Senior Karen Plaster, Braun and sophomore Jessica Moore all recorded singles to start the inning to load the bases with no one out. Diana Cezeaux then locked down on the mound for the Hilltoppers, as she recorded a pop out and a pair of strikeouts to end the threat.
Durrell pitched the entire game for the Blue Tigers, while Braun was the only player to record more than one hit, going 2-for-3.
In game two, Lincoln once again scored first, plating two in the first inning, as Braun and Moore singled to start the game and after freshman Rebekah Spencer walked, the Blue Tigers loaded the bases with no one out. Senior Brenda Siegler also walked to pick up the RBI and give Lincoln the early 1-0 lead. Freshman Kelsi Poe came up two batters later to deliver a fly ball to left that was mishandled by the left fielder, allowing Moore to score on the error and put the Blue Tigers ahead, 2-0.
St. Edward’s, just like in game one, answered back right away with two runs in the bottom of the first, before taking the lead with three more in the bottom of the second.
The Hilltoppers continued with the offensive attack, tallying three more runs in the third inning, before Lincoln answered with a pair in the top of the fifth. A walk to Braun and a single by Moore set the table in the inning, as Braun later came home on a wild pitch. The Blue Tigers added one more run later in the inning on a sacrifice fly by Siegler that scored Moore.
Moore recorded a pair of hits, going 2-for-4 in game two, while also scoring two runs.
Lincoln will conclude their three-game series with St. Edward’s with first pitch set for 12 p.m. Saturday.
St. Edward's 6, Lincoln 1 (Mar 05, 2010 at Austin, Texas) (Game 1)
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Lincoln............. 000 100 0 - 1 5 0 (0-3, 0-1 HC)
St. Edward's........ 000 231 X - 6 8 1 (12-10, 1-0 HC)
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Pitchers: Lincoln - Durrell, O. and Braun, M.. St. Edward's - D. Cezeaux; P. Sandahl(7) and
C. Lavender; S. Todd.
Win-D. Cezeaux(6-4) Loss-Durrell, O.(0-3) T-2:03 A-0
HR SEUSB - S. Giles 2 (5).
Weather: 50's, very windy, overcast
St. Edward's 11, Lincoln 4 (Mar 05, 2010 at Austin, Texas) (Game 2)
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Lincoln............. 200 020 0 - 4 6 0 (0-4, 0-2 HC)
St. Edward's........ 233 003 X - 11 13 2 (13-10, 2-0 HC)
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Pitchers: Lincoln - Spencer, R.; Braun, M.(2); Durrell, O.(3) and Braun, M.; Campbell, A..
St. Edward's - L. Hairston; P. Sandahl(7) and C. Lavender; K. Robledo.
Win-L. Hairston(2-2) Loss-Spencer, R.(0-1) T-2:00 A-132
HR SEUSB - J. Varteress (3).
Weather: Windy