KYLE RHINE | Reporter

The Lindenwood softball team split the doubleheader against McKendree University on Tuesday in St. Charles, dropping the first game 5-3 and taking game two 6-2.

Marina Esparza made the start for the Lions in game one, lasting six and one-third innings allowing five runs. Esparza surrendered four hits and two walks and struck out one batter.

McKendree jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the fourth inning, but the Lions countered with a run in the bottom of the inning on a double from Esparza scoring Paige Callans. After a scoreless fifth inning from Esparza, Lindenwood tied the game on a throwing error committed by McKendree’s right fielder.

In the seventh inning, the Bearcats broke the 2-2 tie with three runs crossing the plate. The Lions cut the lead to two in the bottom half on a triple from Austine Pauley, scoring Keri Sheehan. Lindenwood failed to score any more runs, falling 5-3 in game one.

After McKendree jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning, the Lions broke out for six unanswered runs in game two. Hanna Porter drove in three runs in Lindenwood’s 6-2 win.

Stormee Galka pitched a complete game allowing two runs on five hits and a walk. Galka had two strikeouts on the day.

Following the series split, the Lions are 19-19 on the season and will travel to Pittsburg, Kansas, on April 13 to face conference opponent Pittsburg State University at 2 p.m. at the PSU Softball Complex.