ROLLA, Mo. – The Lincoln University softball team held Missouri S&T to five runs in each game, but the offense struggled to get going as the Miners swept the doubleheader, 5-0, and 5-0, Tuesday afternoon at the Missouri S&T Softball Field.
Missouri S&T (5-5) struck first in the first game, opening with a run in the bottom of the first on an RBI double by Kristen Drage to give the Miners the 1-0 advantage.
It would remain that way into the third, as Missouri S&T broke through with three runs, as Drage tallied an RBI single, along with an RBI double from Kate Runyan, sandwiched around a wild pitch that scored a run for the 4-0 lead after three.
Freshman Kelsi Poe tallied the only hit for the Blue Tigers in the first game, as she leadoff the third with a single, but was later erased on a double play.
Lincoln (0-7) would have a few more chances in game two. The Blue Tigers threatened in the third frame, as after a leadoff strikeout, senior left fielder Karen Plaster singled to shortstop and later advanced to third on a throwing error on a ball put in play by sophomore pitcher Megan Braun to put runners at the corners. Sophomore shortstop Jessica Moore then reached on a fielder’s choice to load the bases. Taylor Keal then buckled down on the mound for the Miners, getting a strikeout and a fly out to end the threat.
The game remained scoreless into the bottom of the fourth, as Missouri S&T finally broke through with three runs, with Kassi Deibert coming through with the big hit, a two-run double to help the Miners to the 3-0 lead after four.
The Blue Tigers had one last chance to get on the scoreboard in the fifth. Plaster leadoff the inning with a walk and later moved again to third on a throwing error, this time off the bat of Moore to put runners on the corners with one out. Moore then stole second to put a pair of runners in scoring position, but again Keal was able to bear down when it mattered, getting a pop out and a ground out to retire the side.
Lincoln failed to take advantage of four Miner errors in the second game, as Lincoln left eight runners on base.
The Blue Tigers will return to action this Friday, March 12 when they open a three-game series against St. Mary’s with a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m.
Missouri S&T 5, Lincoln 0 (Mar 09, 2010 at Rolla, MO) (Game 1)
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Lincoln............. 000 000 0 - 0 1 0 (0-6)
Missouri S&T........ 103 001 X - 5 8 0 (4-5)
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Pitchers: Lincoln - Durrell, Olivia. Missouri S&T - Wallingford; Catanese, B(7).
Win-Wallingford(2-3) Loss-Durrell, Olivia(0-5) T-1:29 A-55
Missouri S&T 5, Lincoln 0 (Mar 09, 2010 at Rolla, MO) (Game 2)
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Lincoln............. 000 000 0 - 0 3 1 (0-7)
Missouri S&T........ 000 320 X - 5 9 4 (5-5)
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Pitchers: Lincoln - Braun, Megan. Missouri S&T - Keal, T.
Win-Keal, T(3-1) Loss-Braun, Megan(0-1) T-1:25 A-55