LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, PA. (May 12, 2008) – The Lincoln University of Pennsylvania softball team endured plenty of rough moments during its inaugural season as a Division II program.
Although the Lady Lions (0-20 overall) did not win a game this season, the team did produce some memorable moments and strong performances. Softball was a club sport the last three years before immediately playing a rugged Division II schedule in 2008.
Lincoln’s top hitter during the season was versatile junior Tanina Cook, who led the Lady Lions with a .231 batting average, nine hits, a .256 slugging percentage and six stolen bases. A three-sport standout Cook was named the Lincoln female student-athlete of the year. Cook had Lincoln’s first hit and stolen base both against West Chester. Cook also had a pair of multi-hit games against Gallaudet and NCAA Division II tournament participant Bowie State.
Cook also led the Lions with 45 putouts while mostly playing shortstop. Cook pitched in three games this season and finished with a pair of complete games.
Freshman Jasmine Baxter was the Lady Lions’ top run producer, finishing with a team-high four runs batted in. Baxter hit the first home run in Lincoln softball history – an inside the park tally against Penn State-Abington that gave Lincoln its second lead of the season. Three of Baxter’s five hits went for extra bases. She also slugged a pair of doubles. Baxter also led Lincoln in runs scored with five.
Junior Jordean Matthews had a solid season. She was the Lady Lions’ second leading hitter with a .182 average. Matthews also had four hits and drove in a pair of runs. Her best game of the year was against Penn State-Abington where she enjoyed her first career multi-hit game. Matthews was 2-for-2 with a double, run batted in, run scored and a stolen base.
Freshman DeJuana Mosley successfully made the transition from basketball to softball to finish as the Lady Lions third leading hitter (.179). Mosley had five hits, which tied her with Baxter for second on the team. Mosley also made five pitching appearances during the season. Junior Capri Burnett scored the first run in program history in the Lady Lions’ third game of the season. Burnett had an afternoon to remember against Saint Paul’s when she went 3-for-3 with two runs batted in.
Freshman catcher Sasha Evans earned the team’s most improved player award. Senior Latoya Milstrey was the first batter in Lincoln softball history. She led the Lady Lions with 15 strikeouts on the mound. Freshman Shannisse Conaway, junior Sherell Harwell, sophomore Renee King, senior Nicole Appollon, junior Alisa Davis and freshman Olubumi Olatunji made significant contributions throughout the season.
During the season, Lincoln scored three or more runs five times. The Lady Lions battled Saint Paul’s tough in the first game of a home doubleheader. They were tied, 3-3, after three innings before dropping a 9-3 decision. Lincoln also played its first night game in program history against Gallaudet. First year coach Chris Cummings challenged his team with an arduous scheduled that featured games against teams that participated in the 2008 NCAA tournament (West Chester and Bowie State).
While the 2008 season didn’t produce any victories on the scoreboard, the Lady Lions still won because they were on the field and competing. The Lady Lions had fun, stuck together, played hard and never gave up. Cummings expects the program to improve.
“It was tough (this season), but we had no allusions,” Cummings said. “We knew going from a club sport, let alone a Division II sport, that we’d take some lumps. But on our end, we’re very serious about developing a softball program.”
--LU--