NASHVILLE, Tenn. – It was more than a time for talk. It was a time for tough talk.

Giving up five runs in the seventh inning resulted in an 8-6 loss Sunday afternoon to Indiana State in the Purple and Gold Challenge at Draper Diamond at Smith Stadium. It was a catalyst for a long, serious meeting between Lipscomb coach Kristin Ryman and her players.

Heading into the final inning the Bisons held on to a 5-3 lead. But Lipscomb freshman starter Emily Yakubowski gave up four runs including a three-run homer and an RBI double. Chloe Yeager came on in relief and gave up an RBI-single with the run credited to Yakubowski.

“As hard it is for them to hear we have to be better in the circle,” Ryman said. “Megan Gray can’t throw every game and I am not going to put her in every situation to try to close the door.

“Our other pitchers are good enough to do that. We know that. We have faith in them. These are frustrating growing moments.”

The Bisons were  on a power drive early in the game. Meghan Kline slammed a home run to left field to start the third inning. Jenna Endris followed with a solo blast of her own over the center field fence. The Bisons would finish the inning with five hits and four runs.

“Meghan brings a lot to the table offensively,” Ryman said. “She is a gamer.

“The home runs jump started us and kind of ignited our whole team.”

Endris would hit her second round-tripper of the game, this time to left field, to lead off the fourth  inning.

“Jenna hits home runs in practice, but she hasn’t been a regular starter until this year,” Ryman said. “She has worked her tail off to be our everyday first baseman. I was really excited for her.

“She is still working to get where she wants to ne. What a cool moment for her to get two home runs.”

In the seventh Lipscomb would add one more run as Olivia Ward singled to short to bring in Hannah DeVault who had opened the inning with double to center field.

Yakubowski, 0-6, took the loss. She gave up 10 hits and all eight runs in 6.1 innings. She walked three and struck out one.

Chloe Yeager pitched the final two-thirds of the seventh. She  allowed one hit and struck out one.

Indiana State used three pitchers. Lexi Benko, 2-0, was credited with the win.

The Lady Bisons connected for nine hits. Caitlin Turner and Endris both had two hits. One of Caitlin Turner’s hits was a double.

“Offensively, I felt like we did everything we needed to do,” Ryman said. “When you score six runs you should be able to win a game.

“This is one of those crappy games and crappy moments. It doesn’t feel good. If this helps propel us to be better as pitchers when we get into conference play, I will take this crappy moment. We need to become more mature and learn. There  is a certain level of accountability and this on our staff as a whole.”

Around the bases

• The home runs by Kline and Endris were career firsts.
• The three home runs are team game high for the season.
• Kline, at designated player, made her first start of the season.
• Caitlin Turner has three doubles. DeVault has two.
• It was the fifth multi-hit game for Caitlin Turner.
• Endris has multiple RBI in thee games and two multi-hit games.
• Presley Leebrick leads the team with a five-game hitting streak.
• Peyton Ward is tops on the team having reached base in her last seven games.

Up next

The Lady Bisons head to Tennessee for a 4:30 p.m. CT game.