ST. CHARLES, Mo. - Lindenwood softball (12-11, 2-1 OVC) took their opening Ohio Valley Conference series after picking up a 4-3 victory on Sunday against the Cougars of SIUE (9-12, 1-2 OVC). After dropping the first game of the series, the Lions picked up two straight wins.
"Great team effort today," said head coach
Erin Brown. "We came ready. Both Avery and Amanda pitched really well. I could see some adjustments offensively from yesterday. We had some strong at bats and got some big hits when we needed them. I am really proud of our fight today and taking the series against a solid SIUE team."
Avery Wapp (ND) started the game for the Lions ending with a no decision after throwing the first 3.2 innings allowing two runs on six hits with two strikeouts.
Amanda Weyh (W, 7-5) picked up the win in relief after throwing the final 3.1 innings allowing her lone run in the seventh inning. Kelsey Ray (L, 6-3) suffered the loss for SIUE.
Lindenwood's offense had an explosion in the third inning scoring all four of their runs off of Ray.
Irelynn West had a lead-off triple for the Lions to start the inning.
Madisen Noll then followed with her first collegiate home run to left field as the Lions went up 2-0.
After
Tori Hatton and Weyh both reached safely on base,
Dallis Darnell delivered a two RBI double in the gap to plate two more runs and give the Lions a 4-0 lead. Lindenwood had five of their eight hits in the third inning.
SIUE fought back in the top of the fourth plating two runs of their own to cut into the Lions' lead. Harley Limberger delivered a two RBI single up the middle off of Wapp to bring home two runs. Weyh would come in relief for Wapp during the fourth and get out of a jam with two runners on.
Weyh shutdown the Cougar's offense for the majority of her time on the mound. SIUE scored one more run in the top of the seventh after an RBI double by Grace Lueke, but Weyh ended the game with a groundout the Noll at shortstop to secure the win for the Lions.
West and Hatton both had two hits for the Lions while Darnell and Noll provided two RBI each. Weyh is not just six strikeouts away from becoming Lindenwood's all-time NCAA leader in strikeouts.
Lindenwood will return to action next weekend for the first conference away games against Tennessee State in Nashville, Tenn. For more information go to lindenwoodlions.com.
