Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 The Lindenwood softball team dropped a pair of games on the opening day of its 2012 season. The Lions fell to Barry and Tampa, two teams that are receiving votes or are nationally-ranked in the preseason NCAA Division II poll.

The Lady Lions lost their first game to Barry by a 7-0 margin. The turning point of the game was the third inning. Lindenwood trailed 1-0 but was threatening with runners at third and second. A strikeout ended that threat though and Barry scored four times in the bottom half of the inning to break the game open.

Deidre Merli had two of Lindenwood's six hits, including one double. Megan Noe also had an extra-base hit.

In the second game of the day, Lindenwood lost to No. 19 Tampa by a 3-0 margin. All three of Tampa's runs were scored with two outs and only one of the runs was driven in.

Lindenwood's had just two hits by Alexandra Newcomb and Bailey Marshall. Both of those runners though were thrown out on the bases. The team's biggest threat came in the sixth when two walks put the tying run up to bat with just one out. That batter lined into a double play to end the inning.

Kendall Ryndak pitched five innings and allowed four hits and two earned runs. She struck out three batters. Kimberleigh Griffin pitched one inning and allowed just one walk while striking out two.

Lindenwood continues play at the Eckerd Invitational on Saturday with games versus Florida Southern and Nova Southeastern.