NASHVILLE, TN – After three consecutive road tournaments, Lipscomb Softball made their Draper Diamond debut. The Bisons hosted the Ohio Bobcats and Northern Iowa Panthers for day one of the action in Nashville. Playing in the afternoon and evening games, Lipscomb inched out a 6-5 victory over Ohio and fell in a nail biter to Northern Iowa 6-9.
 
OHIO 5, LIPSCOMB 6
After opening their day in a game against Northern Iowa, the Bobcats came out fired up. Ohio recorded four hits on 6 at-bats and scored two runs before the top of the first ended.
 
Alyssa Hastings led the Bisons off and reached first on a throwing error. Hastings took the opportunity to advance to second, allowing for Elle Smith to record a hit and make it to first without Hastings advancing. At cleanup, Brenna Sherman recorded a hit through the right side to load the bases with no outs. The Bobcats struck out the fourth batter, and with bases loaded with one out, Presley Rader walked to send Alyssa Hastings home. Ella Polk made it to first on a fielder's choice, but Smith was tagged out at home. Lipscomb capitalized on Mallory Ogle's at-bat, forcing two errors and allowing Sherman and Rader to score. Going into the top of the second, the Bisons were up 3-2.
 
The Bisons stepped up to the challenge in the top of the second, allowing just one hit and forcing Ohio to leave their lone runner on base. Alyssa Hastings and Josey Polk made two big plays to result in outs for Lipscomb to take the plate. The Bobcats responded by shutting the Bisons down with no hits and no errors.
 
Ohio opened up the top of the third with a homer to left field to tie the game up but were not able to record any more hits or scores before the bottom of the inning. Sherman was walked to lead the inning off and advanced to second on a sac bunt. Rader singled to advance Sherman to third before stealing second. With runners on second and third, Mal.Ogle singled to second base and recorded 2 RBI on runs from Sherman and Rader. The inning ended shortly after and the Bisons entered the top of the fourth with a 5-3 lead.
 
Lipscomb showed signs of letting the lead slip, recording two errors in the top of the fourth. The Bisons held tight, allowing just one hit and leaving three runners on base.
 
The Bobcats started inching back into the game in the fifth, recording one run on two hits to make it a one-point game. In the bottom of the inning Sherman recorded a single before three consecutive batters were struck out. Ohio scored yet again in the top of the sixth on an earned run, forcing an error from the Bisons.
 
The Bisons' performance was highlighted by Brenna Sherman, who recorded two hits on two at-bats and two runs while Macyn Kirby recorded two hits on three at-bats with one run.
 
Laine Barefoot pitched all seven innings, improving her starting record to 2-3.
 
NORTHERN IOWA 9, LIPSCOMB 6
Freshman Halle Klaiber made her first appearance on the mound for the Bisons in the Bisons' evening matchup with the Northern Iowa Panthers. UNI got hot early, recording a two-run homer down the left field line with one out. The Bisons tightened up, closing the inning with two strikeouts and leaving two runners on base.
 
With one out, Elle Smith bunted to get on first. Brenna Sherman followed up, launching a rocket to right center and recording her second two-run homer of the season. Her 2 RBI sent Elle Smith home to tie the game up at 2-2. The Panthers forced two quick outs to close the first inning.
 
Lipscomb kept the fans on the edge of their seats, allowing Northern Iowa to load the bases with one out. The Bisons tagged a runner out at home before catching a pop up to return to the plate, but the Panthers forced three consecutive outs.
 
Northern Iowa had a big third inning, loading the bases with one out. The Panthers scored three earned runs in two consecutive at-bats for a quick three-run lead. Lipscomb relieved Klaiber with Macey Ogle, who closed out the inning leaving three runners on base.
 
The Bisons responded to Northern Iowa's runs with a couple of their own in the bottom of the third. Macyn Kirby led the batters off with a single to third before Alyssa Hastings homered to right center for a two-run at-bat. Hastings' home-run is her second of the season and her two RBI contribute to her season total of nine. Heading into the top of the fourth, the Bisons cut the lead to 5-4.
 
Neither team scored in the fourth inning and the Bisons held the Panthers to three at-bats with no hits in the top of the fifth. Kirby opened the bottom of the fifth with a single, followed by Hastings with a single of her own. Elle Smith reached on a fielder's choice and Hastings advanced to second, but Kirby was tagged out at third. Josey Polk stepped up to bat and recorded 2 RBI with a single up the middle that allowed both Hastings and Smith to score. Entering the sixth, the Bisons secured their first lead of the game.
 
Northern Iowa scored on a double in the top of the sixth and the Bisons relieved Mac.Ogle from the mound with Courtney Sauer. The Panthers stole home to take the lead before Lipscomb ended the inning.
 
UNI sealed the deal in the top of the seventh with a two-run at-bat with two outs for a 9-6 lead.
 
Alyssa Hastings highlighted the Bisons' performance, recording 2 hits on 4 at-bats with 2 RBI, 2 runs, a home-run, and 4 assists.
 
UP NEXT
Lipscomb will host day two of the Purple/Gold Challenge, facing off against Northern Iowa and 1:30 PM and Ohio at 4:00 PM.