CANYON, Texas – Western Oregon softball went on a scoring rampage against Lincoln University of Missouri in their final doubleheader of the West Texas A&M Lady Buff Invite, defeating the Blue Tigers, 12-1, in the first game, and 10-1 in the second.
 
The Wolves went 4-2 for the weekend tournament and are now 7-8 overall this season, while the Blue Tigers are 0-11.
 
GAME #1 – WESTERN OREGON 12, LINCOLN 1
Western Oregon earned a run in each inning, including eight runs in the third, and the game ended after Lincoln's last chance at bat in the top of the fifth.
 
Junior Kelsie Gardner started the Wolves off in the first inning with a single and eventually scored after a sacrifice fly. In the second, junior Emma Alfonso drew a walk, stole second, and made the final run home when junior Destiny Kuehl drove the ball to left center field for a triple.
 
In the third inning, the Wolves scored on nearly every play. Freshman Ryanne Huffman made it around the bases without the help of another batter as she singled, advanced to second base on a passed ball, advanced to third, and then scored off of a throwing error from the catcher.
 
Sophomore Zoe Clark, who had singled to left field, scored after sophomore Alex Frazier's single, and Frazier immediately advanced to third on the throw. Junior Mercedes Green's single then allowed Frazier to run home.
 
Kuehl's single later brought Green and junior Ashlee Lynch, who drew a walk, home. Senior Brandy Knowles also drew a walk and was able to score after a ground out.
 
Back at the top of the lineup again, Huffman's single allowed Kuehl to score, and Huffman notched the eighth run of the inning after Clark's double to left center field.
 
Lincoln delivered their first and only hit of the game in the top of the fourth with a single, and the Blue Tigers also gained their one run.
 
In the bottom of the fourth, Knowles, who had reached on a fielder's choice, scored off of Kuehl's single. Alfonso had singled and was eventually brought home by Huffman's single.
 
Of Western Oregon's 14 total hits, Huffman and Kuehl both went 3-for-3 at bat, while Gardner, Clark, and Frazier each had two hits.
 
Freshman pitcher Haley Fabian stood in the circle for the five innings and earned her second win after allowing Lincoln's one hit and striking out three batters.
                                                                                                      
GAME #2 –WESTERN OREGON 10, LINCOLN 1
In the second contest against the Blue Tigers, the Wolves did not stop the scoring spree on account of a new game as they opened the first inning with seven runs.
 
After Gardner and Huffman each had bunt singles, Clark's double brought both of them home. The third run came when Frazier drew a walk, advanced to second on a wild pitch, then to third, and proceeded to steal home. Next, as Green reached on a fielding error, Alfonso's single up the middle allowed Green to score.
 
The Wolves ended the inning with a three-run homerun from Kuehl, who allowed Alfonso and junior Ku'ulei Siolo to score.
 
Western Oregon increased their lead to 8-0 in the second inning when Frazier stole home again after advancing to third base off of Green's single.
 
During the fourth, Green scored her second run of the game after Siolo's double, and Lynch capped off the win with one final run.
 
In the Blue Tigers' last chance during the bottom of the fifth, they managed to earn two hits and a run.
 
Gardner totaled three hits for the game, and six of the eight other Wolves in the lineup each produced a hit. Senior Alyson Boytz started in the circle and pitched 3.2 innings, allowing one of Lincoln's four hits and striking out one. Junior Sammi Cadwallader went in for Boytz for 1.1 innings and struck out four batters.
 
Up next, the Wolves will open Great Northwest Athletic Conference play on Saturday, March 5 as they host Saint Martin's in Monmouth for a doubleheader. First pitches are set for 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.