ROLLA, Mo. - The Lincoln softball team dropped both games of a doubleheader Tuesday, losing 7-6 in eight innings and 5-2 against the Missouri S&T Miners.
The Blue Tigers lost their season opener 14-1 to the Miners, but Lincoln struck first in Game 1 of the doubleheader with a solo home run by Chelsey Kerr in the top of the third inning. Kerr added an RBI single in the fifth to tie the game at 2.
Lincoln took a 5-4 lead in the top of the seventh, getting RBI singles from Rachael Balke and Jordan Lawson. Missouri S&T scored the tying run on an error in the bottom half of the inning to force extra innings.
Kiley Kerr's RBI groundout in the top of the eighth gave Lincoln a 6-5 lead, but the Miners answered with a pair of runs, ending the game with a walk-off sacrifice fly.
Chelsey Kerr went 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored. Balke finished with two singles.
Madison Ragar went the distance for the Blue Tigers. She pitched 7 innings and allowed seven runs (three earned) and walked one while striking out two. Missouri S&T collected 16 hits, 15 going for singles.
Missouri S&T never trailed in Game 2. Both Lincoln runs were scored in the top of the third on a two-run single up the middle by Emily Williams (Jefferson City High School) to tie the game at 2.
The Miners retook the lead with two runs scored in the bottom half of the inning and added an insurance run in the fifth.
Tori Nienhueser and Balke each had two singles. Alyssa Schulte (Jefferson City High School) added one single and one run scored.
Delayne Patton took the loss in the pitcher's circle, going six innings and allowing five runs on 11 hits with two walks and one strikeout.
Lincoln (0-6) hosts its home opener next Saturday with a doubleheader against Stephens College at LU Softball Field.