ST. CHARLES, Mo. - The Lindenwood Softball team (8-10, 0-0 OVC) ended the Lindenwood Invite with two wins over Green Bay and Valparaiso to snap their seven game losing streak.
Game One: Lindenwood 10, Green Bay 3
After the Phoenix scored two runs in the top of the first inning, the Lions responded with four runs in the bottom of the second inning behind an
Emily Geary RBI sacrifice fly and RBI singles from
Teryn Brown and
Madisen Noll to grab a 3-2 lead. Lindenwood got their fourth run of the inning on a fielder's choice that scored
Dallis Darnell. Lindenwood added on to their lead in the bottom of the third after Geary reached base once again and forced the Green Bay catcher to throw the ball down to second base on a steal attempt that allowed for
Anna Sanders to score. The same play would happen again in the bottom of the fourth when Brown attempted to steal second base and Darnell scored her second run of the game to put the Lions up 6-3.
The Lions added on to their lead in both the fifth and sixth innings behind a Geary RBI triple and a
Karter Skillman RBI single the next at bat to put Lindenwood up 8-3. Sanders would add more insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth with an RBI double that scored two runners to give the Lions a 10-3 lead. In the circle,
Lucy Pratt picked up her second win of the season behind 2.2 innings of work and allowing three hits. Freshman pitcher
Jalese Hays recorded her first career save by pitching 4.1 innings allowing one run and striking out two batters. At the plate,
Anna Sanders went 4-4 with two RBI and three runs scored.
Game Two: Lindenwood 4, Valparaiso 2
Anna Sanders picked up right where she left off in game one by putting the Lions up 1-0 in the bottom of the first behind an RBI groundout that scored
Tori Hatton.
Kylee Crowder extended the lead later in the inning after she scored on a wild pitch to put Lindenwood up 2-0 after one inning of play. After the Beacons scored one run in the top of the second to cut the deficit to 2-1, Sanders picked up an RBI triple in the bottom of the fourth that scored two runners to extend the lions lead to 4-1 with three innings to go. Valparaiso would add one run in the top of the seventh inning, but Lindenwood would hang on for the 4-2 victory to finish the Lindenwood invite with a 2-2 record. Senior pitcher
Ryleigh Owens went the distance in the contest against Valpo, allowing one earned run and striking out a season-high five batters.
The Lions will now begin conference play at home next weekend against UT Martin on March 7 and 8. First pitch with the Skyhawks on March 7 is scheduled for 12 p.m. CT at Lou Brock Sports Complex.
