MONTGOMERY Ala. - Lindenwood softball (1-1) split their first two games of the 2026 season on Friday during the Alabama State University Tournament in Montgomery, Alabama. The Lions picked up an 8-2 victory to start the day against Nicholls followed by a loss against the host school by a final of 6-5.

GAME ONE
Lindenwood - 8
Nicholls - 2

Ryleigh Owens: (W, 1-0), 4.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 3 K, 6 BB
Avery Wapp: 2.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 4 K, 4 BB
Karter Skillman: 3-4, RBI, R, SB
Dallis Darnell: 3-3, 2 R, RBI, BB

The Lions' offense exploded in the first game for eight runs, marking their most runs scored to start a season since 2020 when they scored 11 against Western New Mexico. Lindenwood added 15 hits on their way to their first win of the season.

Senior pitcher Ryleigh Owens picked up the win in the circle after throwing 4.0 innings allowing two runs on four hits with three strikeouts. Avery Wapp came in relief of Owens and tossed 2.2 innings of scoreless ball with four strikeouts.

Lindenwood's scoring began in the second inning after the Lions posted five runs on five hits. After Emily Geary started the inning with a double and was followed by Kylee Crowder with a single, freshman Karter Skillman and Anna Sanders posted back-to-back RBI singles to give the Lions the early 2-0 lead.

Madison Noll added an RBI groundout while Tori Hatton concluded the inning with a two RBI double off the wall to put Lindenwood ahead 5-0. Owens pitched a shutout second inning to maintain the lead. 

A scoreless third inning led to the Lions adding a run in the fourth. With runners on first and third, Hatton laid down a sac bunt to the pitcher to score Dallis Darnell from third. Nicholls would score two in the inning to cut into the lead 6-2.

Sanders and Darnell added two insurance runs in the top half of the seventh giving the Lions an 8-2 advantage. Wapp and Ava Risum closed out the seventh inning securing the Lions' first win of the season.

GAME TWO
Lindenwood - 5
Alabama State - 6

Ava Risum: 3.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, K, BB
Teryn Brown: 2-3, R, RBI
Tori Hatton: 1-3, 2 RBI, BB

Lindenwood suffered a 6-5 loss during their second game of the tournament against Alabama State. The Lions scored five runs on eight hits with one error while ASU posted six runs on 10 hits.

Molly Heidrick started the game for the Lions tossing 2.1 innings allowing two runs on three hits. Risum came in during the third inning finishing the game throwing 3.2 innings allowing two runs on six hits.

Alabama State scored two runs in the second inning to take an early lead on the Lions. Lindenwood's offense bounced back in the fourth inning scoring all five runs on six hits. Four different Lions posted an RBI in the inning including two from Hatton.

After a Geary single, Crowder drove in the Lions' first run of the game. With the bases loaded Darnell hit a sac fly tying the game at 2-2. Teryn Brown (1) and Hatton (2) closed out the inning with back-to-back hits putting the Lions ahead 5-2.

Heading into the bottom of the seventh leading 5-4, Owens walked the first two batters of the inning. Jalese Hays came in relief for Owens. After a groundout to advance the runners, ASU scored on a wild pitch to tie the game. The Hornets eventually walked off the Lions with an RBI single to center field, finishing the game with a final score of 6-5.

The Lions will be back in action on Saturday, Feb. 7th with two games to close out the weekend starting at 9:00 am against Murray State. For more information go to lindenwoodlions.com.