The Lincoln Blue Tigers tried to get a win in the final game at the Lincoln Softball Field, but a late-game rally came up just short Monday.
After dropping the first game of a doubleheader with Missouri Southern by a 5-1 score, the Blue Tigers found themselves trailing by three runs heading into their last at-bat in the nightcap.
Lincoln was able to push across two runs in the bottom of the seventh, but the rally stalled and the Blue Tigers suffered a 5-4 setback.
The games were the final two of the season for the Blue Tigers, clearing the way for the field to be removed soon as part of a project that will bring a new recreation center to campus.
A new softball field will be built adjacent to the baseball field in the space currently dedicated to the football practice field, with a projected opening date during the 2017 season.
In the opening game, Lincoln got outhit 10-3 and scored its only run thanks to a wild pitch that brought home Avery Myers in the fourth inning.
Missouri Southern scored two in the first, one in the fourth and two in the seventh.
Myers, Allyson Corry and Sam Kircher had one single apiece for the Blue Tigers.
Madison Ragar (0-22) took the loss, throwing a 10-hitter. Four of the five runs were earned and she walked one while striking out three.
In the second game, Missouri Southern outhit Lincoln 9-5 and the teams combined for seven errors, with the Lions leading the way with four.
Missouri Southern took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, only to see Lincoln take a 2-1 edge in the fourth thanks to a two-run homer by Kircher, her team-leading sixth of the season.
The Lions got those two right back in the top of the fifth, then scored single runs in the sixth and seventh to lead 5-2.
In the bottom of the seventh, Madison Gooden led off with a double and Macie Kinsey reached on an error. Lauren Stamp then doubled to score Gooden, but Kinsey was thrown out at the plate, leaving the score at 5-3.
Kassidey Borland then singled to send Stamp to third. After a foul out, Borland stole second and when the throw got away, Stamp scored to get the Blue Tigers within one run. Another foul out then ended the contest.
No Lincoln player had more than one hit in the contest.
Macie Kinsey (2-16) was the losing pitcher, throwing a nine-hitter. She allowed four earned runs and had one walk and five strikeouts.
Missouri Southern ends the season at 15-37 overall and 7-19 in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association, while Lincoln finishes 3-49 and 2-24.