Lincoln Christian accomplished its first goal on Monday evening, as the Bulldogs dominated in a 16-3 win over Salina to capture the Class 3A-6 district title.

Lincoln (24-5) finished district play 11-1 after picking up another win on Tuesday at Salina in a 13-1 victory.

"It was a big win for us to capture our second straight district title," said Lincoln head coach Greg Harmon. "The victory allowed us to be able to host regionals and hopefully puts us in a good spot to have a chance to win another regional championship."

The Bulldogs have won regional titles in each of Harmon's two seasons at the helm, but have been unable to get out of the following round, falling in super regionals both years.

Regional pairings and announcements will be out this week, with tournaments scheduled to take place next week.

Lincoln also got a big win on Saturday over Community Christian, as the Bulldogs went on the road and won 7-6.

The Bulldogs are scheduled to wrap up the regular season this Saturday when Lincoln travels to Jones.

Lincoln beat Jones at home earlier this spring 7-6 in nine innings.

LINCOLN 16, SALINA 3

Needing just one win to capture Lincoln's second straight district title, the Bulldogs put on a show offensively.

After Salina scored to open the game in the top of the first with a 1-0 lead, Lincoln immediately responded.

After loading the bases at the top of the lineup, one of Lincoln's star seniors came through with a big hit to take the early lead.

Lane Hunter ripped a bases clearing double to make it 3-1 and the Bulldogs wouldn't look back.

The Wildcats answered with a run in the top of the 3rd to cut the lead to 3-2, before Lincoln tacked on three more runs in the bottom half.

After sophomore Aiden Hendren laced a leadoff triple to right, freshman Major Brooks had an RBI single to make it 4-2.

Shortly after, Hunter again came through with a big hit, tripling to right to score Brooks and make it 5-2.

"He's been coming out of a recent slump for us," said Harmon. "He had to battle through some low points this season so it was good to see him with a big hit early in the game and as we near the postseason."

Beaux Brumble drove in Hunter in the next at bat to make it 6-2.

However the next inning would be where the Bulldogs' lineup exploded.

Lincoln sent 16 hitters to the plate, scoring 10 runs in the bottom of the 4th to put the game way out of reach.

Carter Hunter had a 2-run double to make it 10-2 with just one out before Cole Dooley and Chandler Cozbey each had RBI singles later in the inning.

Nate Cottman drove in Cozbey several batters later to make it 16-2.

Lincoln leaned on two of its top pitchers in the win, as Hendren got the start and went three innings, allowing just three hits and a walk while striking out seven hitters.

Senior Carter Ricke came in for Hendren for the final two innings, allowing just one run on two hits and sitting down three.

Hunter finished 2-for-3 with the two extra base hits and four RBIs.

Brooks was 2-for-2 with two RBIs. Cozbey finished 2-for-3 with an RBI and a triple. 

Dooley was 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Nine different Lincoln hitters drove in a run and 14 Bulldog batters had a hit.

LINCOLN 13, SALINA 1

It was more of the same a day later in Salina, as Lincoln got ahead early and used a big inning to put the game away.

The Bulldogs took an early lead with three runs in the top of the 1st before piling it on in the 3rd.

Lincoln scored nine in the top of the 3rd to break the game open before adding one more in the 4th.

Meanwhile, Cozbey and Carter Hunter kept the Wildcats in check on the mound, allowing just two hits through four combined innings.

Cozbey started and pitched three shutout innings, striking out three, before Hunter struck out the side in the 4th.

Lane Hunter had another big day, as the senior was 2-for-3 with a double and four RBIs.

Cozbey had a double, while Silas Goff was 2-for-3 with a 2-run triple in the win.

Brooks was 2-for-4 with an RBI for Lincoln, while Ricke, Hendren, Hudson Hunter, Brumble and Jaxon Crumbliss each had a hit and drove in a run in the win.

LINCOLN 7, COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN 6

The Bulldogs got a big win on Saturday, holding on late on the road against a talented Community Christian team.

Lincoln battled back from an early deficit and held on in the final inning.

After trailing 3-1 through two innings, Lincoln took a 6-3 lead after four runs in the top of the 5th.

The Bulldogs added one more in the top of the 6th before Community rallied for three runs in the bottom of the seventh.

But Cade Ryan, who pitched four innings of relief, got the Royals to ground into a double play to end the game.

Hendren, Cozbey and Ricke each combined to throw one inning, as they allowed three unearned runs on three hits and two walks.

Ryan pitched the final four innings, allowing just three earned runs on five hits.

Brumble led the way offensively for Lincoln, as he was 2-for-2 with an RBI double.

Crumbliss had a double, RBI and walked three times. Hunter was 2-for-2 with an RBI double in the win.

Dooley also had an RBI single for Lincoln, while Brooks, Goff and Ricke each singled.



Photos by Lee Talley