KENNESAW, Ga. – It is easy to dwell too long on a loss, but Lipscomb softball coach Kristin Ryman is choosing to put an emphasis on the positives.

After beating Stetson 1-0 in eight innings, the Lady Bisons were shutout 11-0 by host Kennesaw State at Bailey Park Sunday afternoon. The game was called for the run rule after five innings.

The Lady Bisons (13-13) closed out the ASUN crossover weekend with a 2-1 record.

"We have to turn the page quickly and not dwell on this," Ryman said. "We are going to learn from it. It wasn't because of a lack of effort.

"We are searching for consistency in our approach every day, our attitude and our energy. That is one of the ways we are trying to grow as a team."

The Owls scored six runs in the second inning including a two-run home run to right center by Taylor Cates. They added three more in the third and two in the fifth.

Katie Turner (1-2) started for the Lady Bisons. She was replaced after 1.1 innings by Emily Yakubowski for 1.2 innings before returning to the circle to close out the game.

Turner gave up eight hits and eight runs, all earned, in a total of 3.1 innings. She walked four and struck out four. Yakubowski allowed six hits and three runs, two earned.

"I don't think we had great pitching performances," Ryman said. "Both Katie and Emily are returning from injuries. They are working their way back. They are not where they want to be, and they are not where we want them to be yet."

Melanie Bennett (13-9) pitched the first three innings and gave up two hits with one strikeout. Peyton Elzey threw the final two innings and also gave up two hits along with two strikeouts.

"I thought we did a good job of putting the ball in play against Bennett," Ryman said. "We did some good things even though they didn't result in runs."

In the Stetson game the Lady Bisons winning run came in the eighth inning. 

Katelyn Belding singled down the right field line with one out. She stole second after Jessie Brown grounded out to the catcher. Abby Davis reached base when

Stetson's shortstop dropped a fly ball advancing Belding to third. Davis then stole second. The shortstop then misplayed a grounder hit by Amy Vetula which brought Belding home.

Maddie Siemer and Breana Burke combined for the shutout. Siemer threw 5.2 innings allowing one hit and two walks while striking out three. Burke (9-5) closed out the game allowing one hit and two walks to go with two strikeouts in 2.1 innings.

"I thought Maddie threw a tremendous game," Ryman said. "I thought Bre came in and did exactly what we needed her to do. Both of them, along with our defense, got a lot of key outs when we needed them."

Stetson's Chloe Temples fell to 3-12. She pitched all eight innings and gave up three hits and one unearned run. She did not walk a batter and struck out five.

"I thought we struggled to figure out the puzzle offensively," Ryman said. "But I was proud of our fight and how we found a way at the end."

Extra innings:

• With two hits against Kennesaw State and one against Stetson Kamrie Rich extended her hitting streak to a team-leading seven games. She has multiple hits in nine games, tying her with Vetula for the lead.
• The 14 hits by Kennesaw State were the most allowed this season by Lipscomb. They gave up 11 in a 7-2 loss to Coastal Carolina Feb. 28.
• The 11 runs were the most allowed this season. Coastal Carolina scored 10 in a 10-9 win Feb. 27.
• It was the third time the Lady Bisons have been shutout this season.
• This was the first time they have been run ruled by an opponent.
• The Stetson shutout was the third for the Lady Bisons.
• The win over Stetson was the second extra inning game of the season.  The Lady Bisons beat Loyola-Chicago 2-1 in 10 innings March 6.
• Vetula, Belding and Davis each stole a base, all three in the eighth inning against Stetson.

Up Next:
The Lady Bisons travel to Bellarmine Wednesday for a 2 p.m. game in Louisville.