COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Lincoln University of Pennsylvania softball program's offense produced almost identical score lines in each game with six runs and six hits in the opener followed by six runs and eight hits in the nightcap, but it yielded different results: a 6-2 victory in game one, and a 7-6 heartbreaking walk-off setback in game two.

What You Need to Know:
 

• Game 1: Lincoln (PA) 6 | Columbia (SC) 2

 

• Game 2: Columbia (SC) 7 | Lincoln (PA) 6

 

• Records: Lincoln-PA (6-7, 0-0 CIAA) | Columbia-SC (6-2, 0-0 AAC)

 

• Location: Columbia, South Carolina – Sutton Softball Complex

 

• Winning Streak: Columbia-SC (W1) | Lincoln (PA)'s Last Win: Game 1
   

Lincoln (PA) Top Performers:
 

• Tia Brown (Newark, N.Y./Newark) pitched the Lions to victory in the first contest, striking out double-digits for the first time in her career, setting down 10 Koalas while surrendering one earned run (two total) and five hits during a complete game win. She also came on in relief for game two, tossing another two frames, scoreless, picking up four more whiffs along the way.

 

• On the offensive side, she scored one-third of the team's 12 runs, coming around to touch home plate four times after reaching on two walks in game one then two singles during game two.

 

• Freshman Kailee Richmond (Womelsdorf, Pa./Conrad Weiser) was the difference in the triumph, rounding the pillows after a three-run homer to dead-center in the first inning, the first of her career, to set the tone in the Lions favor.

 

• She struck fear into the Columbia pitchers all day long, hitting .667 (4-for-6) with the round-tripper, four runs batted in, three runs scored, plus a triple and reaching on a bean ball for good measure.

 

• Cailyn Dove (Annapolis, Md./Broadneck Senior) had a nice day at the dish as well, pushing across a trio of baserunners on a sac fly and a two-run double.

 

• Irlynn Richardson (Pittsburgh, Pa./Penn Hills) made both of her hits count for double, slapping a pair of two-baggers while Aliya Rose (Lutherville, Md./Maryvale Preperatory) and Leinayiah Jex (Silver Spring, Md./John F. Kennedy) stole second once each.

 
Notes:
 

• The doubleheader was the only time this season that Lincoln will play an NAIA opponent, last doing so against Washington Adventist in February of last year in Takoma Park, Maryland.

 
Next:
 

• Lions fans, now that basketball season has concluded its time to support your spring sports as the softball team plays the first outdoor event of 2023 on-campus this Wednesday as it hosts the rematch with Goldey-Beacom College at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. at the LU Softball Complex.