The No. 16-ranked Northwest Missouri State softball team split a pair of conference contests with Lincoln Friday afternoon in Jefferson City, Mo.

The Bearcats used nine hits to topple the Blue Tigers in game one, 5-1, before falling 3-2 in the nightcap.

Northwest is now 22-8 overall and 6-4 in the MIAA, while Lincoln moves to 3-30 this season and 2-12 against conference opponents.

Torri Blythe had four hits and scored two runs on the day.

Kendle Schieber (12-3) struck out five batters and gave up just three hits in six innings of work to pick up the win in game one. The senior added an RBI single on offense.

The Bearcats will head to St. Charles, Mo. for an MIAA twin bill with Lindenwood Saturday, March 25 beginning at 11 a.m.

— Northwest Athletics —