NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A win is a win even if it is not  a thing of  beauty.

After spotting Tennessee Tech six runs in the first two innings of Saturday’s nightcap the Lady Bisons fought back with  run in the second, four in the third, one in the fifth and two in the seventh for an 8-7 win.

The Lady Bisons lost the first game 3-1 in  eight innings at Draper Diamond at Smith Stadium. Lipscomb is 10-10. Tennessee Tech is 10-8.

“The game doesn’t know who is supposed to win,” Ryman said. “The game at times doesn’t care if it looks ugly or pretty.

“It is just about finding a way. We struggled to find a way in game one. In game two we kept fighting and fighting.”

Down 7-6 in the bottom of the seventh Olivia Ward blasted the first pitch of the inning over the right center field fence to tie the game. It was the third hit of the game for Olivia Ward.

“We are starting to see that confidence in Liv,” Ryman said. “It was a big clutch hit.  She had great at bats all day.

“We knew it was there, but it is fun to see It start happening and taking shape. She can be a really tough out in the middle of our order.”

Caitlin Turner walked and moved to second on an error and then advanced to third on a wild pitch. Amy Vetula singled to left field with two outs to bring home Caitlin Turner with the winning run.

“Amy had some frustrating moments,” Ryman said. “We had  some clutch key hits in this game. Amy came through at the end.”

Jenna Endris sparked the Lady Bisons in a big way slamming a home run to left field to lead off the third.

“We were trying to find a way to chip away at their lead,” Ryman said. “I felt like we were going to be able to hit. I knew it was going to be a matter of time.”

Emily Yakubowski started for Lipscomb. In 1.1 innings she scattered seven hits and gave up six runs, all earned.  She had no walks or strikeouts.

Katie Turner, 3-1, relieved. She allowed one earned run on five hits in 5.2 innings. She walked four and struck out one.

Tennessee Tech used four pitchers. The Lady Bisons  finished with 11 hits, eight runs with seven earned and three walks. They also capitalized on four Tennessee Tech errors.

Lack of offense in game one

Megan Gray pitched seven innings for the Bisons in game one. She gave up three hits and one earned run. She struck out eight and did not walk a batter.

Chloe Yeager, 0-2, threw the eighth inning. She allowed two hits and two runs. She walked one and struck out one.

“Megan did a great job for us,” Ryman said. “We took her about as far as we could.

“Chloe gave up one key hit, but she didn’t do a bad job. She is getting back to where we want her to be.”

Alyssa Arden, 7-2, was the winner for Tennessee Tech giving up three hits, walking five and striking out seven.

“Their pitcher did a nice job,” Ryman said. “We had 15 fly outs and one ground out. We struggled to adjust.  We had opportunities to make a few things happen, but we struggled to do it. It was frustrating.

“It wasn’t the prettiest day…period. It wasn’t  Megan or Chloe.  It wasn’t our defense. It was our offense. But we are trying to grow, and we are trying to learn.”

Around the bases

• It was Olivia Ward’s first home run in a Lipscomb uniform. Her three RBI and three hits were both season highs. It was her first multiple RBI game.
• Vetula leads Lipscomb with three home runs.
• Peyton Ward stole a base in game two, her 11th in as many attempts.
• Olivia Ward stole a base in each game. She is three-for-four.
• Vetula’s two hits in game two give her a team high of eight multiple hit games.
• Presley Leebrick connected for two hits in game two. She has six multiple-hit games.

Up next

The Bisons close out the weekend with a 1 p.m. game with Tennessee Tech.