MOREHEAD, Ky. - Lindenwood softball (20-20, 11-10 OVC) earned back-to-back Ohio Valley Conference wins on Friday over Morehead State (5-38, 3-17 OVC) to claim their fourth OVC series win of the season. The Lions have now evened their record at 20-20 this season and have an 11-10 record in the conference, good for fifth in the league.

GAME ONE
Lindenwood - 8
Morehead State - 4

Lindenwood overcame a two-run first inning by the Eagles as they claimed their first victory of the series in game two by a final score of 8-4. Avery Wapp (W, 8-6) picked up the win in the circle after throwing a complete game allowing four runs on 10 hits while striking out four.

Irelynn West and Dallis Darnell both had multiple hits in game one while Jolie McMinn and Mya Bethany provided some pop at the plate as they both hit three-run home runs to help the Lions pick up the game to victory.

After the Eagles scored two off of Wapp in the bottom of the first inning, the Lions stormed back in the top of the fourth to tie the game scoring two runs. Darnell plated the first run with an RBI single up the middle to score Danielle Franz. Lauren Pelton delivered an RBI to third base scoring Bethany to tie the game.

Lindenwood's offense kept it going after Bethany and McMinn delivered back-to-back three-run home runs in the fifth and sixth innings to take a 8-2 lead. Morehead State would score two runs in the sixth and seventh but it was too late as the Lions held on to tie the series.

GAME TWO
Lindenwood - 12
Morehead State - 7

It was another high scoring affair for Lindenwood to wrap up the series at Morehead State, but the Lions prevailed by a final score of 12-7 in game three of the series. West continued her excellent weekend with a four RBI performance to lead to way offensively. Tori Hatton joined West as both players had three hits in the contest.

Ryleigh Owens (W, 10-7) picked up the win on the mound for the Lions after throwing 5.0 innings allowing seven runs (four earned) on eight hits while striking out five. Wapp returned to the mound to pick up her fourth save the season ending the game allowing a single hit over the final two innings while striking out two.

The Lions' offense started the game with a 3-0 start in the top of the second inning after Madisen Noll, Nicole Henson and West all drove in an RBI to put the Lions on top early. The momentum continued in the third as the Lions' took an 8-0 lead after scoring five runs. Bethany and Darnell had back-to-back RBI before West cleared the bases with a three RBI double.

Morehead State scored seven straight runs between the third and fifth innings off of Owens cutting the Lions lead to 8-7. Wapp then entered the game and pitching two scoreless innings to keep the Lions' ahead. Hatton and Danielle Franz both homered in the sixth inning while Hatton also hit an RBI double in the seventh as the Lions ended the game winning 12-7.

The Lions will return home next week for the final time this season for four games. Starting on Wednesday, April 23rd, the Lions will host Saint Louis for their Strike Out Stigma game at 5:00 p.m. CT. For more information go to lindenwoodlions.com.