Games #42-44
Lindenwood (20-21, 11-10 OVC)
vs. Tennessee Tech (16-29, 8-13 OVC)
Game Information:
Dates: Saturday, Apr. 26th - Sunday, Apr. 27th
Location: St. Charles, Mo.
Venue: Lou Brock Sports Complex
Start Times: 12:00 p.m. & 2:30 p.m. CT (Sat.) / 12:00 p.m. CT (Sun.)
All-Time Series: 6-1
Last Meeting: L, 3-7 (2024 OVC Championships)
Weekend Links:
Live Stats: Link
Watch (Game 1): Link
Watch (Game 2): Link
Watch (Game 3): Link

On-Tap
Lindenwood softball wraps up their 2025 home schedule this weekend as the host Ohio Valley Conference member Tennessee Tech for a three-game series. The Lions have played a total of 22 home games this season, the most in the conference by five games. In those games, Lindenwood has a 10-12 mark including a 5-7 record against conference opponents. 

Through their first two seasons in the OVC, Lindenwood has built up a nice resume against Tennessee Tech posting a 6-1 all-time record. The lone loss for the Lions came in the OVC Championships last season in the opening round as the Lions lost 7-3.

All three games this week will be streamed on ESPN+. First pitch for game one is set for 12:00 p.m. CT on Saturday, April 26th followed by game two around 2:30 p.m. CT. The senior celebration for Lindenwood's five seniors will take place on Sunday, April 27th at 12:00 p.m. CT.

Saint Louis Recap
Lindenwood softball dropped their final non-conference game of the season against cross-town rival Saint Louis by a final score of 4-3. 

Saint Louis' offense did not take off til late in the game being held to just one hit though the first five innings of play. Lucy Pratt got the start on the mound throwing the first 2.0 innings allowing a single run during the top of the first after a single up the middle.

Lindenwood was just shy of tying the game in the third inning after Tori Hatton drilled a double off the top of the fence in left field. She was stranded at second after the Billikens' pitching staff struck out Jolie McMinn. The Lions' out hit Saint Louis during the game 8-4.

Molly Heidrick pitched 2.1 innings of hitless softball, but had five walks to her credit. In the top of the fifth inning, Heidrick walked the bases loaded. Avery Wapp came in relief and limited the damage to one run after a walk.

The Lions' used a big fifth inning to take the lead after scoring all three of their runs in the inning. Madisen Noll and Nicole Henson both singled to start the inning with Noll scoring the first run after a RBI single to right field from Irelynn West. Hatton then tied the ame with a soft grounder to shortstop which scored Henson. McMinn put the Lions ahead 3-2 after a shot to center field brought home West from second. Lindenwood would leave two runners stranded, but maintained a one run lead.

Wapp remained on the mound for the Lions in the top of the sixth where the Billikens delivered a double and triple to start the inning to tie the game. Saint Louis scored the game winning run after a single to third base scored the fourth run. LU had a runner at third with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, but could not tie the game as Saint Louis escaped with a 4-3 win.

OVC Preseason Poll
The Redhawks of Southeast Missouri State were selected as the 2025 Preseason favorite, garnering nine first-place votes and finishing with 152 points after claiming the OVC Tournament Championship last season. They were followed by Southern Indiana who received six first-place votes (140 points) and 2024 OVC Regular Season Champion Eastern Illinois with five first-place votes (139 points).

Tennessee State follows the top three ranking fourth with 107 points followed by Tennessee Tech (82), Lindenwood (80), UT Martin (74), SIUE (73), Morehead State (30) and Western Illinois (23). There are a total of 27 conference games this season with each team playing the other schools three times.

2025 Statistical Leaders
Batting Average: Nicole Henson (.333)
Hits: Jolie McMinn / Irelynn West (33)
RBI: McMinn (27)
ERA: Avery Wapp (2.49)
Strikeouts: Wapp (111)

Head Coach Erin Brown
Erin Brown is entering her fourth season as the head coach of the Lindenwood softball team in 2025. 

Brown led the Lions to an OVC Tournament appearance after guiding Lindenwood to a 25-25 record. Lindenwood had an impressive home record in 2024 going 12-5 at Lou Brock Sports Complex. Irelynn West earned First Team All-conference honors while Amanda Weyh earned Second Team. Under Brown, the Lions swept cross-town rivals Saint Louis in two games during a home-and-home series. The Lions went 13-14 in OVC play. Brown also coached five CSC Academic All-District players.

In 2023, the Lions went 16-32, including an 8-15 mark against OVC competition. Lindenwood finished with a winning record at home (12-10) and swept eventual conference champion Eastern Illinois late in the year at Lou Brock Sports Complex. Irelynn West and Dallis Darnell earned all-conference honors with West being a second-team selection and Darnell being named to the all-newcomer team. 

Up Next
Lindenwood concludes their 2025 regular season next weekend when they travel to Southern Indiana for a three-game series starting on Saturday, May 3rd. For more information go to lindenwoodlions.com.