Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

Jefferson City, Mo. - The Southwest Baptist University softball team clinched their first MIAA Tournament berth since 2002 with a double-header sweep of Lincoln on Saturday afternoon. The Bearcats claimed an 11-3 game one victory followed by a 10-2 game two victory as Dana Graves also broke the single season RBI record for SBU. At the conclusion of the day, SBU now stands at 21-33 (12-14 MIAA) on the season.

The Bearcats wasted no time in putting runs up on the scoreboard in game one. With one out in the first, Catlin Evans singled down the right field line, stole second, advanced to third on a throwing error, and came home two batters later on an rbi single from Dana Graves to give the Bearcats a 1-0 lead. After a Caitlyn Cooner single down the right field line, Lyndie Routh hit an rbi single to left field to extend the lead to 2-0. Lincoln responded with a run in the bottom half of the inning, but the Bearcats went back to work in the top of the second.

With one out, Kori Hillenburg doubled down the left field line followed by an infield single Rachel Ray. Evans then had an rbi fielder's choice, extending the lead to 3-1, and following a passed ball Kaley Hansen hit a sacrifice fly to center field to put the Bearcats on top 4-1. The Blue Tigers were held scoreless in the bottom half of the second as SBU extended their lead in the top of the third. Cooner led the inning off with a single through the left side, and following a fielder's choice, Stef Lischke hit an rbi triple down the right field line to give SBU a 5-1 lead. Yezzania Gonzalez then hit an rbi sacrifice bunt, scoring Lischke, extending the lead to 6-1.

SBU continued their strong offensive output in the top of the fourth. Evans led the inning off with a single to center field, stole second, and came home on an rbi single to right field by Hansen. Hansen then stole second, and came home on an rbi double to center field by Cooner, giving SBU an 8-1 lead. In the top of the fifth back-to-back singles from Rachel Ray and Evans put two runners on for Graves who hit a three-run home run to left center to extend the lead to 11-1. The Blue Tigers got a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning, but Southwest Baptist came away with the 11-3 run-rule victory. Kacey Ayers picked up the game one victory, throwing a complete game for the Bearcats.

In game two SBU once again had a strong offensive output. With one out in the top of the first Evans singled through the left side, stole second, advanced to third on a throwing error, and came home on a passed ball to give SBU a 1-0 lead. After a scoreless second inning, the Bearcats built on their lead in the top half of the third. With one out in the inning, Rachel Ray hit an infield single, stole second, and came home on an LU error. Evans, who reached on the error, would come home on another LU error as SBU led 3-0 after three innings of play.

The Bearcats continued to push, plating another run in the top of the fourth. Routh led the inning off by drawing a walk, followed by a Cooner ground-rule double to left field. Routh then came home on a wild pitch to give SBU a 4-0 lead. The Blue Tigers got one run back in the bottom half of the inning, but SBU promptly responded. Ray led off the top of the fifth with a double to center field, and after a sacrifice, Ray came home on an rbi single from Hansen. Graves then doubled to center field, scoring Hansen, and giving the Bearcats a 6-1 lead. Once again LU answered with a run in the bottom half of the inning, as SBU took a 6-2 lead into the sixth.

In the top of the sixth the Bearcats would once again plate four more runs. Lischke led the inning off with an infield single, stole second, and came home on a pinch-hit rbi double to left field by Stormy Christerson. The Bearcats scored another run on an LU error, and after a Ray bunt single an rbi groundout by Hansen extended the lead to 9-2. Ray then came home on a wild pitch, giving the Bearcats a 10-2 lead heading into the bottom half of the inning. Ayers then put the Blue Tigers down in order, after coming in for starting pitcher Hunter Middleton in the previous inning, as SBU completed the 10-2 run-rule victory. Middleton earned the win for the Bearcats, throwing 4.1 innings while allowing one earned run on only 3 hits.

SBU will return home on Monday, April 25 for their final regular season double-header against Missouri Baptist. Opening pitch is set for 2:00 p.m. from Bolivar, Missouri.