Two-time defending Softball Sectional Champion Lincoln, extended their Sectional title string to three Thursday night, with a 7-4 win over Union City.
It was a team effort for the Lady Eagles who played with a purpose. Maddie Bogue pitched an outstanding game, and her teammates backed her effort with strong defense and timely hitting.
Union City, a 16-game winner, was a formidable foe, but the Lady Eagles would not be denied. Lincoln scored four runs in the bottom of the first inning to take a lead they would never surrender. A combination of walks, and Union City errors, allowed the first two runs to score and Abby Weaver hammered a double to drive in two more.
The Eagles added another run in the bottom of the third inning. A two-out RBI single from Weaver extended the Lincoln lead to 5-0, after three innings complete.
The teams exchanged runs in the fourth inning. The Lady Indians collected their first two hits of the game and Emily Livingston, who is committed to join the IU Rowing team next fall, drove them in with a double.
Lincoln responded with two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Back-to-back to back-to back base hits from Paige Lunsford, Mallory Burns, Kaylee Gabbard and Bogue resulted in two runs and a Union City pitching change.
The Indians made one last run in the top of the sixth inning. Mariah Claywell opened the inning with a base hit and Oaklee Reichard followed with another single to join her on base. Brianna Williams followed with a hit to bring them home. Williams was later thrown out trying to steal third base and Bogue worked out of the inning with no further scoring.
Bogue issued a walk to the lead-off batter in the seventh inning, then she struck out the next three to nail down the win. Bogue scattered six hits and struck out ten Lady Indians. Weaver collected two of the Lincoln base hits.
Bogue, a senior, admitted she wanted the ball with the title on the line. “I knew Union City was a good team,” Bogue said. “But I wanted the ball. I was confident that my teammates would play great defense and hit the ball, and they did. This team is very close and supportive of each other, and it will be nice to play the Regional on our home field.”
Lincoln Head Coach Scott Griffin was pleased with his team’s performance. “I told the girls that if they just went out and played our game, that everything would work out in our favor.” Griffin stated. “It worked out that way and they all performed very well. Now we will have the opportunity to host the Regional and we are looking forward to it.”
Union City (16-9)
0 0 0 2 0 2 0 4
Lincoln (9-13)
4 0 1 2 0 0 0 7
Batteries: Union City: Shannon Smith, Emma Blankley (4) and Reichard Lincoln: Bogue and Gabbard
Union City Hits: Blankley, Claywell, Livingston, Reichard (2), Williams
Lincoln Hits: Bogue, Burns, Gabbard, Lunsford, Weaver (2)

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