WEST ST. PAUL, Minn. -It was a long day of softball for the Lincoln Blue Tigers. So long they were forced to stop.
Lincoln played three games in the West St. Paul Dome in Minnesota on Sunday, dropping two to fall to 2-2 on the year, while the third game was cut short due to time constraints.
Lincoln fell to Minot State 8-0 and to Minnesota Duluth 13-5, both games ending in five innings because of the enforced run rule.
A third game, against Mary, was halted during the fifth inning because of the amount of time the teams were allotted to use the dome. Lincoln trailed 7-2 when the game was postponed. The teams are expected to conclude the contest today.
In the opening game, Minot State scored runs in every inning and outhit Lincoln 9-1 to hand Lincoln its first shutout loss of the season.
Allyson Corry had the only hit of the contest for the Blue Tigers, notching a double in the first inning. Sam Kircher followed by drawing a walk, but the Beavers were able to get an unassisted double play to end the threat.
Lincoln drew five walks in the game, but the Blue Tigers never had a runner advance past second base.
Alyssa Laudwig received the loss after allowing three runs on four hits and walked three in just one-third of an inning. Jessica Cook surrendered five runs on five hits, while striking out six and walking three in 3 2/3 innings of work.
The second game of the day was basically decided in the first inning as Lincoln gave up 12 runs on eight hits and an error.
The Blue Tigers only allowed one run in final four innings, while plating five of their own runs in the third, but it wasn't enough.
Sam Kircher and Shantae Duren were both 2-for-3 with an RBI, while Erin Sommerer was 1-for-1 and drove in a run to lead Lincoln offensively.
Laudwig got her second start of the day, this time allowing seven earned runs on eight hits, while striking out two and walking four in 3 1/3 innings.
Cook yielded five runs on three hits and two walks in two-thirds of an inning.
Lincoln will be back in the dome today to finish its game against Mary. The Blue Tigers are also scheduled to play rematches against Mary (9 a.m.) and Minnesota Duluth (11 a.m.).