The Lindenwood softball team dropped both games of its doubleheader on Friday afternoon to Central Oklahoma. The Lady Lions lost is six innings in game one by the score of 11-3 at Lou Brock Sports Complex before falling 9-0 in five innings in game two.
Austine Pauley had three hits between the two games, while
Becca Stocker collected a pair of knocks in game one.
Morgan Brown had one hit in each game, both singles.
Bethany Fountain received her first start of the season in the circle, and threw 4.2 innings. The junior allowed six total runs, but only one was earned. In game two,
Stormee Galka surrendered four earned runs in two innings before being relieved by Fountain.
Game One
The Bronchos didn't take long to score, bring a leadoff double around on a sacrifice bunt and pair of fly outs. The visitors added another run in the third before scoring four times in each of the fifth and sixth innings.
Pauley and Brown reached to lead off both the first and third inning, but neither ever touched third base. Down 11-0 in the sixth inning, the offense broke through for three runs.
Lexi Theis and
Hannah Johnson singled ahead of a pinch-hit walk by
Maria Tippit to load the bases with nobody out.
Faith Koffron came off the bench and delivered a two-run single, scoring pinch-runner
Adele Linderman and Johnson. Stocker followed that up with her second hit of the game, a liner up the middle to make the score 11-3.
UCO pitcher Jayden Chestnut retired the next three Lindenwood hitters to finish the game in six innings.
Game Two
The nightcap began similarly to the first game as Morgan Heard reached to lead off the game before coming around to score for the early 1-0 lead. The Bronchos would go on to score in every inning, including three runs in the third to break the game wide open.
Fountain and Pauley singled to begin the Lindenwood third inning. After a sacrifice bunt moved them both into scoring position, Johnson flew out to center field for a double play when Fountain was called out for leaving third base too early.
Central Oklahoma reliever Abbie Lancaster worked around a lead off walk to retire the side in order in the bottom of the fifth to end the game, 9-0.
Brown has raised her season batting average to .343, leading the team. Galka dropped to 6-8 on the season, while Fountain suffered her first loss of the season.
Lindenwood moves to 10-17 on the season and 1-9 to begin conference action. The Lady Lions welcome Northeastern State to Lou Brock Sports Complex tomorrow afternoon for an MIAA doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
