"We started down," said Lincoln head coach Hank Wallis, "but these girls hung in there; no one gave up, including the bench."

Despite trailing for most of the game, the lady Lions were able to rally a little bit in the top of the fifth inning, scoring three runs after sending no more than four batters to the plate in any inning leading up to that.

Marisa Salazar led off the inning with a double. Bria Bohdanowicz advanced her to third with a nice bunt single. With runners at the corners, Bohdanowicz stole second before the Prospect pitcher struck out two in a row. Makenna Austin smashed a triple to right field that drove in both Salazar and Bohdanowicz. Shauna Healy followed with a base knock to score Austin.

The last run for the Lions was scored in the top of the sixth when Kristina Royston led off the inning with a double and, with one out, scored on a sacrifice fly by Salazar.

Austin was the offensive player of the day for the Lions with a triple, a run scored, a stolen base and two RBIs.

Healy singled and drove in a run, while Royston doubled and scored a run. Salazar doubled and drove in a run and Bohdanowicz had a single, a run scored and a stolen base. Shannon Gonzales also ripped a base hit to center.

The Lions lost another game earlier in the week, falling to Overfelt 10-0.

"We're trying to figure out what our problem is," said Wallis. "We had won five straight before these games, but we'll take away the positives and build on them."

Healy, Janell Bales and Stephanie Flores were the only players with hits in the game against Overfelt. Flores also had a stolen base.

"These girls work hard together. They are all good kids," said Wallis.

Lincoln is now 6-6 in the West Valley Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League and was to face Gunderson on April 19 and then will face Westmont at home on April 21. Games begin at 3:30 p.m.

Baseball

It was a tough week for the Lincoln baseball team, too. The Lions lost twice in Santa Teresa Division play, falling 19-7 to Piedmont Hills and 10-7 to Prospect.

The loss to the Panthers was especially disheartening for the Lions. Lincoln had jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the first, led 5-1 after two and was up 6-3 heading into the seventh. But the Panthers unloaded for seven runs in the top of the seventh and the Lions could answer with only one in the bottom of the frame.

Junior Kyle Martinez ripped three of Lincoln's eight hits in the game.

The Lions were pounded by Piedmont Hills a few days later. Lincoln was outhit 16-6 on the road to a lopsided 19-7 loss to the Pirates.

Despite the numbers, there was not quit in the Lions that day. Lincoln trailed 13-1 after giving up a six-run rally to the Pirates in the fourth, but the Lions came fighting back with four in the home half of the fifth. Unfortunately for Lincoln, Piedmont rallied for six more in the seventh.

Sophomore Luis Machuca had three of Lincoln's six hits in this one.

The Lions slipped to 1-10 in division play with the loss and will fight to get out of the Santa Teresa cellar this week when they host Independence on April 25, 3:30 p.m. The 76ers are 2-7 and in sixth place in the standings. Next in line for Lincoln will be Evergreen Valley (4-6) on April 27, 3:30 p.m., at Evergreen.