ST. CHARLES, Mo. — Lindenwood University endured a rollercoaster weekend at the Lindenwood Invite before finishing strong, snapping a seven-game losing streak with back-to-back victories Sunday at the Lou Brock Sports Complex.
The Lions (8-10) went 2-3 across five games, dropping their home opener 8-6 to the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay on Thursday and falling 4-1 to both Indiana State University and Valparaiso University on Friday before responding with a 10-3 win over Green Bay and a 4-2 victory against Valparaiso to close the tournament.
Fast Finish on Sunday
Lindenwood’s offense broke out in Sunday’s rematch with Green Bay, piling up 13 hits in a 10-3 win.
After surrendering two runs in the first inning, the Lions answered with four in the second. Emily Geary lifted a sacrifice fly to plate the first run, and Teryn Brown and Madisen Noll followed with RBI singles. Lindenwood added single runs in the third and fourth innings, capitalizing on aggressive baserunning and defensive miscues.
Geary jump-started a decisive fifth inning with an RBI triple, and Karter Skillman followed with a run-scoring single. Anna Sanders punctuated the rally with a two-run double in the sixth.
Sanders delivered one of the top individual performances of the weekend, going 4 for 4 with two RBIs and three runs scored. Noll finished 2 for 3 with an RBI and a walk, Brown added two hits and an RBI, and Dallis Darnell contributed two hits and scored twice.
Lucy Pratt started in the circle, allowing three hits and two runs over 2 2/3 innings. True freshman Jalese Hays earned her first collegiate win in relief, limiting Green Bay to one run over 4 1/3 innings.
The Lions carried that momentum into the tournament finale against Valparaiso.
Sanders again set the tone early, driving in Tori Hatton with an RBI groundout in the first inning. Kylee Crowder later scored on a wild pitch to give Lindenwood a 2-0 lead.
After Valparaiso cut the deficit to 2-1, Sanders delivered the decisive swing in the fourth inning, ripping a two-run triple to extend the advantage to 4-1. Crowder went 2 for 3 with two runs scored, and Jolie McMinn added two hits as part of an 11-hit effort.
Senior Ryleigh Owens went the distance, allowing two runs — one earned — on four hits while striking out five. She retired 14 of the final 17 batters she faced to secure the win.
Missed Opportunities Early
The strong finish followed a challenging start.
In Thursday’s opener, Lindenwood matched Green Bay with 10 hits but fell 8-6 after the Phoenix scored four runs in the sixth inning.
McMinn went 2 for 3 with two RBIs, while Hatton also finished 2 for 3 with an RBI and a walk. Noll, Geary and Sanders each drove in a run.
Trailing 4-1, the Lions erupted for four runs in the fifth inning. Izzy Wilcox tripled to open the frame and scored on Noll’s RBI single. Geary added a run-scoring hit, and McMinn’s sacrifice fly gave Lindenwood a 5-4 lead before Green Bay answered late.
Friday’s 4-1 loss to Indiana State followed a similar script. Geary tied the game in the third inning with an RBI single after Noll and Crowder worked back-to-back walks. Lindenwood stranded runners in the fifth before the Sycamores broke through with three runs in the seventh. Owens allowed four runs over six innings, striking out three.
In the nightcap, Valparaiso again capitalized late. Noll’s RBI groundout in the fifth cut the deficit to 2-1, but the Beacons added runs in the sixth and seventh. True freshman Ava Risum allowed three runs over 5 2/3 innings in the loss.
By the Numbers
Lindenwood totaled 44 hits and 22 runs over five games, averaging 8.8 hits per contest.
Sanders led the way offensively, batting .467 (7 for 15) with five RBIs and four runs scored. McMinn hit .429 (6 for 14) with two RBIs, while Crowder batted .400 (6 for 15) and scored a team-high six runs. Noll added five hits and three RBIs, and Darnell also collected five hits during the weekend.
In the circle, Owens logged 15 innings over three appearances, earning a complete-game win and striking out eight overall. Hays secured her first collegiate win in relief, and Risum made two appearances as both freshmen gained valuable experience.
With momentum restored, Lindenwood will open Ohio Valley Conference play at home March 7-8 against University of Tennessee at Martin. First pitch Friday is scheduled for noon at Lou Brock Sports Complex.
