PEORIA, Ill. - #5 Lindenwood softball (24-23, 14-12 OVC) defeated #8 UT Martin (16-31, 8-17 OVC) to start the Ohio Valley Conference Championships by a final score of 5-0. The win marked the first in program history at the OVC Championships as the Lions move on to the double elimination portion of the bracket.

KEY STATS
Avery Wapp: W (9-8), 7.0 IP, H, BB, 8 K
Hanna Johanning: 3-3, 2B, RBI, R
Tori Hatton: 2-3, HR, R, RBI, BB
Madisen Noll: 2-3, 2 R
Lauren Pelton: 1-1, 2 RBI

Wapp had one of her best performances in her career after tossing her seventh complete game of the season allowing a career-low one hit through seven innings. Wapp had her second most strikeouts in a game this season after tossing eight in the opening game of the OVC Championships.

Lindenwood put together an all-around effort with five runs on 11 hits while leaving five left on base. UT Martin was held to a single hit with five left on base. It marked eighth time this season the Lions collected double-digit hits.

After Wapp finished off the first inning, Hatton started the game with a lead-off home run to center field as the Lions led 1-0 after one. Johanning then had the first of her three hits in the second inning with a double to deep left field scoring Noll from third.

UT Martin did not record their first hit until the fourth inning of the game off of Wapp, but she stranded the runner keeping the Lions lead. Lindenwood's offense added another three runs in the bottom of the sixth to increase their lead. With the bases loaded, Pelton delivered in a pinch-hit situation with a single down the right field line scoring all three runners.

Wapp closed out the game in the seventh picking up her ninth win of the season. The Lions now advance to the double elimination portion of the bracket as they take on #4 Southern Indiana at 5:30 p.m. CT later today. For more information go to lindenwoodlions.com.