Lincoln stayed within striking distance of Missouri Southern on Friday until late in the game.
A three-run home run by the Lions' Tee Helsel in the seventh inning lifted Missouri Southern past Lincoln 6-3 at Lincoln Field.
The Blue Tigers trailed 3-2 entering the seventh when Helsel unloaded with a shot to center field with two to give the Lions some breathing room.
Lincoln rallied with an RBI single by Colby Shepherd in the ninth, but it wasn't enough as the Blue Tigers fell to 2-14 overall and 2-11 in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association.
Missouri Southern led 1-0 into the sixth when a two-run single by Shaun Hoover put the Lions up 3-0. Lincoln made it 3-2 on a two-run single by Shepherd before Missouri Southern put the game away.
Blake Jones took the loss for Lincoln. He allowed five runs (four earned) in six innings.
Drew Noble got the win. He allowed two runs on five hits in seven innings.
Shepherd had two hits and three RBI for Lincoln. Helsel had three RBI for Missouri Southern which ran its record to 12-11 overall and 8-9 in the MIAA.
The series was originally scheduled to be played in Joplin, but was moved to Jefferson City because of the weather. Therefore, Lincoln was the visiting team. The Blue Tigers and Lions will play a doubleheader beginning at 10 a.m. today.