MAGNOLIA, Ark. - The Lincoln University softball team managed to score just one run while dropping a pair of games Friday to open the season.
Competing at the Southern Arkansas University Invitational, the Blue Tigers started the day with a 6-1 loss to Delta State.
The Lady Statesmen got the scoring started with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning.
The Blue Tigers got their only run in the top of the second to cut the lead in half. Tori Nienhueser led off with a double and moved to third on a groundout by Spencer Silva. Jessica Wolken followed with an RBI single to score Nienhueser.
Delta State then closed out the scoring with four runs in the bottom of the second on five hits, a passed ball and a hit batter.
For the game, Delta State outhit Lincoln 10-4. Wolken added a single in the fouth to account for half of the Blue Tigers' hits. Nienhuser's double and a single by Avery Myers were the only other hits.
Madison Ragar started and took the loss for Lincoln, giving up six earned runs on nine hits. She walked two and struck out one. Lauren Stamp pitched the final inning, giving up one hit.
The Blue Tigers were then the victim of a perfect game in an 8-0 decision to the host school in a game shortened to five innings due to the run rule.
Lincoln struck out 10 times in the game and hit just one ball out of the infield.
Southern Arkansas got a solo home run in the bottom of the first to start, then finished things off with a seven-run bottom of the fourth that included a two-run homer and a three-run blast.
Sarah Westhoff was the losing pitcher, working the first 32/3 innings. She gave up eight earned runs on seven hits and two walks. Macie Kinsey came on to get the final out for the Blue Tigers.
Lincoln returns to action with a pair of games in the event today. The Blue Tigers face Cameron University at 10 a.m. and then play Texas Woman's University at noon.