NASHVILLE, TN – Lipscomb softball hosted their first standalone game against the Bucknell Bison this season. Entering the matchup, the Lipscomb Bisons played eight consecutive games at home, going 5-3 at Draper Diamond on the season. In the battle of Bisons/Bison, Lipscomb emerged victorious.
 
BUCKNELL 5, LIPSCOMB 8
Courtney Sauer started in the circle for the Bisons, allowing no hits in the first inning. Lipscomb's Alyssa Hastings led off the bottom of the first, doubling to left center. Hastings advanced to third on a sac bunt before Brenna Sherman stepped up for her first at-bat of the game. On a sac fly, Sherman recorded an RBI as Hastings scored to put the Bisons up 1-0 leading into the top of the second.
 
With two strikes and two outs, Bucknell homered to left field to tie the game up 1-1. Both no outs in the bottom of the second, Lipscomb loaded the bases. Ella Polk and Macey Ogle scored on an RBI from a Macyn Kirby single, advancing Grace Cassarello to third. On Hastings's second at-bat of the game, Kirby stole second before advancing to third on a Cassarello score initiated by a Hastings sac fly. Lipscomb scored again on a fielding error, putting Elle Smith on base and sending Kirby home for a run. Josey Polk doubled to right center for another run by Smith.
 
After going down 1-6, Bucknell relieved their pitcher. The second inning ended shortly after and Bucknell came out hot in the third. The Bison loaded the bases with no outs before Sauer struck out a batter. Unphased by the out, Bucknell scored two runs on a single to left center to cut the deficit to 3-6.
 
Bucknell capitalized again in the top of the fourth. After giving up a hit and a walk to open the inning, Macey Ogle took to the circle. Bucknell scored three runs on two consecutive at-bats to trail by just one run before the top of the inning ended.
 
Despite reaching runners on second and third, Lipscomb scored no runs in the top of the fourth. The Bisons subbed Laine Barefoot into the circle to start the top of the fifth.
 
Lipscomb started to hit their stride again in the bottom of the fifth. Cassarello doubled to left center on the second at-bat of the inning before advancing to third on a double by Kirby. Bucknell made a throwing error on an attempt to tag Kirby out and Cassarello scored. Hastings recorded the third consecutive double for the Bisons to send Kirby home for an 8-5 lead.
 
Both Bucknell and Lipscomb went three up three down in the sixth. Lipscomb forced Bucknell to end the seventh inning with no runs and the Bisons added another tally to the win column.
 
As a team, the Bisons hit 0.429 on the day. Macyn Kirby went 3-3 with 3 RBI, two runs, and a double. Grace Cassarello hit 2-3 on the afternoon with 2 RBI, 2 runs, and a double. Alyssa Hastings and Elle Smith also each hit 2-3 and combined for 3 RBI, 2 doubles, and 2 runs. Laine Barefoot pitched the final three innings of the game, allowing only one hit and striking out two batters.
 
UP NEXT
Lipscomb will begin ASUN play this weekend, opening with a series against North Alabama. The Bisons and Lions will face off at Draper Diamond for a double header slated for Saturday, March 15^th with the first pitch at 1:00 PM.