CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Lindenwood softball (4-4, 0-0 OVC) split day two at the Chattanooga Challenge as they started the day with a win over Chattanooga (2-7, 0-0 SOCON) before falling to North Alabama (9-0, 0-0 ASUN). This marks the fourth straight day of play that the Lions have split their two games on.
GAME ONE
Lindenwood - 5
Chattanooga - 4
Irelynn West was the hero during Lindenwood's 5-4 win over Chattanooga after going 3-3 with three home runs. She becomes just the second Lion in the NCAA era to accomplish that feat (Whitney Wendel - 2021) and first in Division I. In just one game, West tied her season-high for home runs with three which she set back in 2022.
Lindenwood only had four hits in the ball-game but all four were home runs. Besides West's three home runs,
Jolie McMinn added one to give the Lions a 5-4 victory over the Mocs. Chattanooga scored four runs on nine hits with two errors.
West and McMinn started the game with back-to-back home runs in the second inning as the Lions took the early 2-0 lead. After UTC answered with a home run of their own in the bottom of the second, West hit her second of the game this time scoring
Dallis Darnell as LU took a 4-1 lead.
Chattanooga added two more runs in the third to cut the lead to one before West hit her third and final home run in the top half of the fifth to give the Lions an extra insurance run. The Mocs scored one run in the seventh, but LU captured their fourth win of the season.
Samantha Roulanaitis (W, 1-1) picked up her first career win at Lindenwood after throwing a complete game allowing four runs on nine hits while striking out six Mocs.
GAME TWO (5 inn.)
Lindenwood - 0
North Alabama - 8
In game two, Lindenwood was limited to just two hits while committing four errors as North Alabama continued their win streak to nine games to start the season.
Madisen Noll and McMinn both had the two hits for Lindenwood.
UNA scored one run in the first, three in the second, and four in the fifth as they ended the game winning 8-0. North Alabama finished with nine hits as they defeated Lindenwood for the second consecutive day.
Ryleigh Owens (L, 1-1) pitched a complete game allowing eight runs (two earned) on nine hits while striking out two, Katie Simon earned the win for UNA after throwing 5.0 innings allowing just two hits while striking out six.
Lindenwood will close out the Chattanooga Challenge on Sunday, Feb. 16th at 11:00 a.m. CT. against the host school. For more information go to lindenwoodlions.com.