ST. JOSEPH - The Lincoln Blue Tigers dropped the final three games of their baseball series against the Missouri Western Griffons this weekend.
On Sunday, the Griffons defeated the Blue Tigers 12-2 in a game shortened to seven innings by the run rule.
Lincoln scored its two runs in the top of the seventh inning on an RBI double by B.J. Nesbitt and a groundout by Daniel Castillo. Christian Bunch and Dylan Koehler scored the runs.
Koehler and Nesbitt had two hits each in a five-hit Lincoln attack.
Jordan Barrett was the starter and took the loss for the Blue Tigers. He worked the first 22/3 innings, allowing six runs (four earned) on five hits and six walks. He struck out one. Tyler Roberts pitched the final 31/3 innings, allowing six earned runs on nine hits and a walk. He also had a strikeout.
Missouri Western scored at least one run in each of the six innings it came to the plate.
On Saturday, Missouri Western swept a doubleheader from Lincoln by scores of 15-0 and 12-3.
Lincoln had just two hits, singles by Kaleb Davis and Christian Bunch, the opener.
Ryan Simpson took the loss for the Blue Tigers, working the first 12/3 innings. He allowed five runs, all earned, on five hits and a walk. Gus Goodnight pitched the next three innings, allowing seven earned runs on three hits and three walks. Adam Stegeman recorded the final four outs, giving up three runs (two earned) on three hits and a walk.
In the nightcap, Lincoln scored single runs in the first, fourth and fifth innings.
In the first, Nick Lovell doubled to score Dillon Walker. Missouri Western then scored single runs in the bottom of the first and third innings before Lincoln tied it in the fourth when Trevor Schnieders singled to score Davis.
After the Griffons took the lead back in the bottom of the inning, the Blue Tigers tied it again in the top of the fifth when Lovell came home on a balk.
The Griffons then blew the game open with seven runs in the fifth and two more in the sixth. Only five of Missouri Western's 12 runs were earned as Lincoln committed nine errors, eight in the infield.
Kolton Clark took the loss for Lincoln, going the first 41/3 innings. He allowed six runs (three earned) on 10 hits. He struck out two.
Caleb Thomas then allowed two unearned runs on a hit and a walk while recording an out. Dalton Goings then gave up four runs (two earned) on seven hits and a walk while getting two outs. Mason Price got the final two outs, one a strikeout.
Missouri Western (10-5 overall, 7-1 Mid America Intercollegiate Athletic Association) outscored Lincoln 56-7 in sweeping the four-game series.
Lincoln (0-7, 0-4) will play a doubleheader Wednesday against Maryville University in St. Louis.