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Softball Mark McGee

Lipscomb Hosts Tennessee State On Senior Day

LIPSCOMB vs. TENNESSEE STATE
Where: Nashville, Tenn. - Draper Diamond
When: Wednesday, May 5
Watch: ESPN+
Live Stats: Available here

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Lipscomb Lady Bisons softball team is closing out the regular season in an unusual way.

Instead of playing an ASUN team the Lady Bisons will face Tennessee State University from the Ohio Valley Conference. 

Game time Wednesday is 2 p.m. at Draper Diamond at Smith Stadium. Following the game "Senior Day" will be celebrated. Breana Burke, Jenna Endris, Maddie Siemer and Caitlin Turner will be honored.

Lipscomb coach Kristin Ryman stressed how much she appreciated Tennessee State being willing to add a game to their schedule at such a late date in order to be able to honor the seniors.

"Not getting to play Bellarmine over the weekend here was a big blow to us," Ryman said. "Not just because we lost the chance to play a couple of more conference games, but it was going to be our "Senior" weekend. That moment and recognition is something the seniors deserve every year.

"This crew of seniors has been through a lot and fought through a lot in trying to lead a young team. They have battled injuries of their own and stepped into different roles. This year's seniors have been through the wringer. We wanted a way to honor them on the field."

Another reason the game is important is the Lady Bisons have not played a game since April 20 due to Covid-19 restrictions. Lipscomb is 16-16 overall.

Friday, they open play at Liberty in the ASUN Divisional Tournament and the Lady Bisons need to play a game to get ready.

"We have been doing a lot of small group work since the last games," Ryman said. "We have put a lot of emphasis on individual things.

"It has been a long layoff. At this point being able to play anybody before we start tournament play is huge for us. It will be exciting to be back on the field with a full team on a game day."

Tennessee State, 8-30, has lost its last 13 games.

Lipscomb has three players batting over .300 for the season - Amy Vetula (.340), Kamrie Rich (.330) and Caitlin Turner (.327).

Olivia Ward leads the Lady Bisons with 17 runs batted in.

Breana Burke has led the pitching staff this season with 22 appearances, 17 as a starter. She is 11-7 with a 2.06 earned run average. She has struck out 81 batters in 118.2 innings.

Anayah Baker-Rowell is batting .313 for Tennessee State. She is the only player hitting at the .300 level. 

Francys King leads the pitching staff with a 3-5 record and a 3.21 ERA. Raven Loveless is 2-13 with a 3.42 ERA.

Weather and injuries have also played factors in adding to the frustrations of the season.

"It has been a year where I don't feel like we have been able to get into a great rhythm," Ryman said. "We will go through a week or two and something will happen whether it is COVID or an injury. 

"This team is learning a lot this year about resiliency and toughness. We have learned a lot about ourselves."
 
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Players Mentioned

Amy Vetula

#1 Amy Vetula

OF
5' 6"
Sophomore
Caitlin Turner

#2 Caitlin Turner

IF/OF
5' 3"
Junior
Kamrie Rich

#16 Kamrie Rich

C/IF
5' 8"
Redshirt Freshman
Jenna Endris

#44 Jenna Endris

IF/C
5' 6"
Junior
Olivia Ward

#10 Olivia Ward

IF/OF
5' 8"
Sophomore
Breana Burke

#8 Breana Burke

P
5' 4"
Graduate Student
Maddie Siemer

#23 Maddie Siemer

P
5' 10"
Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

Amy Vetula

#1 Amy Vetula

5' 6"
Sophomore
OF
Caitlin Turner

#2 Caitlin Turner

5' 3"
Junior
IF/OF
Kamrie Rich

#16 Kamrie Rich

5' 8"
Redshirt Freshman
C/IF
Jenna Endris

#44 Jenna Endris

5' 6"
Junior
IF/C
Olivia Ward

#10 Olivia Ward

5' 8"
Sophomore
IF/OF
Breana Burke

#8 Breana Burke

5' 4"
Graduate Student
P
Maddie Siemer

#23 Maddie Siemer

5' 10"
Graduate Student
P
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