NASHVILLE – The Lipscomb University Baseball team used a five-run first inning to defeat the University of North Alabama, 6-3, in the opening game of a three-game Atlantic Sun Conference series from Ken Dugan Field at Stephen Lee Marsh Stadium. 

Final Score: Lipscomb 6, North Alabama 3
Location: Nashville, Tennessee (Ken Dugan Field at Stephen Lee Marsh Stadium)
Records: Lipscomb (7-9, 1-0), North Alabama (7-11, 0-1)

HOW IT HAPPENED
Despite the Lions scoring an early run on a Nash Rippen RBI knock in the top half of the first, the Bisons countered by getting to starter Tripp Patterson early. After a strikeout to open the bottom of the first, three straight Bisons reached, capped by a Blake Carter RBI knock through the left side to even the score at 1-1. 

After a flyout, Cam Pruitt delivered with a two-run double down the left field line to score two and give the Bisons the 3-1 lead. 

That started another streak of four base runners reaching on hits. Jordan Thomas and Brock Beddingfield went back-to-back on RBI base hits to lead 5-1 after one inning of play as the home squad batted around. 

UNA did tack on two runs in the third, but Brady Miller got one of them back in the fourth with a 353-foot home run off the foul pole to lead 6-3. 

After a rough third inning for the Bisons on the mound, Collin Bosley-Smith came in and induced double plays in the third and fourth. While the third was a traditional twin-killing from Brady Miller to Kai Holm to Damion Kenealy Jr., the fourth was not so much.

With a runner on base, Will Millard sent a deep fly ball to center field, and Hutson Miles made the catch. Bryant Loving did not think Miles would make the catch, and he was doubled off to end the threat. 

In the fifth, Bosley-Smith allowed the first two runners to reach, but he would recover to strike out the side, all via the looking variety, to keep the 6-3 lead. 

KEY STATISTICS
Eight Bisons out of the starting nine had at least one hit. Cam Pruitt led the Bisons with a three-hit game and drove in two runs. 

Brady Miller, Blake Carter, Jordan Thomas and Brock Beddingfield all drove in an RBI each for the Bisons. 

The quartet of Alexander Llinas, Collin Bosley-Smith (1-1), Mack Mabrey and Kaleb Kantola retired 14 batters via the strikeout, including six that saw called third strikes by the home plate umpire. 

UP NEXT
Game two of the series takes place on Saturday at 2 p.m.