Final Score: Lipscomb: 5, Notre Dame: 4
Location: Nashville, Tenn. (Ken Dugan Field) 
Records:  Lipscomb: (1-0), Notre Dame (0-1)

HOW IT HAPPENED 

Michael Dunkelberger started the opening half-inning dealing with two strikeouts against the first two batters for the Fighting Irish. After an infield error on the next at-bat, Dunkelberger forced Notre Dame's next batter into a ground out to retire the side. 

The Bisons' bats were hot early as Caleb Ketchup roped a double to the left-center field wall. After a ground out that moved Ketchup to third, Alex Vergara brought in the first run for the Bisons this season on a single to left field.

Lipscomb continued to put pressure on the Fighting Irish, loading the bases, but they managed to get out of the inning, giving up only one run. 

Dunkelberger continued to deal in the second inning with back-to-back strikeouts, giving him four in his first six at-bats. He followed that up by forcing another ground out to end the second. 

The Bisons added two more runs in the bottom of the third inning. With one out and a runner on first, Trace Willhoite launched one over the left-field wall to increase the Bisons' lead to three. 

Notre Dame threatened in the fourth with two runners on, but the Bisons managed to get out of the inning unscathed after a deep fly ball held up at the warning track to retire the side. The Fighting Irish cut into the Bisons' lead in the top of the fifth on a two-run homer to left, bringing the visitors within one score.

Neither team could add to their run total in the next two innings despite the squads leaving a combined three runners on. The Bisons added to their lead in the bottom of the sixth, bringing in the first run in on a walk with the bases loaded, and then a sacrifice fly by Mason Lundgrin to left-center field which pushed the score 5-2 at the end of six.

After Tyler Legere closed the fourth inning, Alex Brewer came into the close contest. Brewer struck out four of his first six batters and retired his first nine, ultimately giving him the win.

Notre Dame showed life in ninth after two wild pitches and a passed ball brought in two runs for the Fighting Irish to bringing them within a run. Notre Dame got the tying run on base, but the Bisons got the final three outs to win game one 5-4 at Ken Dugan Field. 

HERD NOTES

• The Bisons' pitchers were lights out on opening day, combining for 14 strikeouts while giving up just one hit. 
• Dunkelburger got the start for the Purple and Gold and pitched 4.1 innings, allowing only two hits and six strikeouts. 
• Alex Brewer secured the win after pitching three full innings with five strikeouts with only ten batters faced. 

UP NEXT
Game two against the Fighting Irish will get underway tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. CT at Ken Dugan Field.