Kirksville, Mo. — The Truman State softball team honored its seniors and split a home doubleheader with Lincoln (Mo.) on Sunday at Truman Softball Field, falling 3-2 in the opener before bouncing back to win 5-1 in the nightcap. The Bulldogs improved to 18-30 overall and 10-14 in conference play with the split.

Game 1 — Lincoln 3, Truman 2

In a tight opener, Lincoln struck first when Stewart singled through the left side in the top of the first to score Simpson, putting the Blue Tigers ahead 1-0. Truman responded immediately in the bottom of the inning as Emily Wood hit a solo home run to right field to tie the game at 1-1.

Lincoln reclaimed the lead in the third. After Simpson reached and advanced on a catcher's error, Jaegers singled through the left side to score Simpson, and Smith was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to bring home O'Rourke, making it 3-1. Truman got one back in the bottom half of the inning when Wood singled up the middle to score Cali Coombs, who had doubled to open the frame, cutting the deficit to 3-2.

The Bulldogs had opportunities to tie or take the lead but could not push the tying run across in the final innings. Jayda Long took the loss, allowing three runs in three innings of work. Avaree Taylor and Lydia Feiste each threw scoreless relief, combining to hold Lincoln hitless over the final four innings, but the offense could not provide the necessary support. Mallorey Rogers earned the win for Lincoln.

Game 2 — Truman 5, Lincoln 1

The Bulldogs saved their best for last on Senior Day, putting together a 12-hit effort to back Madison Kluever in a convincing win. Kluever earned the victory, going six innings while allowing just one run on six hits.

Truman fell behind 1-0 in the first when Lincoln's O'Rourke flew out for a sacrifice fly to score Simpson, but the Bulldogs answered immediately in the bottom half. With Emily Wood and Cassie Smith on base, Avaree Taylor singled to right field to drive home both Wood and Smith, putting Truman ahead 2-1.

The Bulldogs kept the pressure on throughout. Katie Pilcher singled to right center in the second to score Wood and extend the lead to 3-1. In the third, Maddie Hickman doubled and scored on a Riley Redig RBI single up the middle to make it 4-1. Redig added another RBI in the fifth with a double down the right-field line, scoring Hickman again to close out the scoring at 5-1.

Hickman went 2-for-3 with two runs scored, Wood finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored, Redig went 2-for-3 with two RBI, and Taylor was 2-for-3 with two RBI. Brooke Nutter worked a clean seventh inning in relief to close out the victory.

 

Up Next:
The Bulldogs will wrap up the regular season next weekend in St. Louis with a pair of doubleheaders. Truman State will take on UMSL on Saturday starting at noon, followed by a Sunday doubleheader against Maryville, also starting at noon.