NASHVILLE – Needing a series win to help solidify a postseason berth, the Lipscomb University Baseball team did that and then some this weekend, and the exclamation point came on Saturday afternoon from Ken Dugan Field at Stephen Lee Marsh Stadium. Celebrating the seniors prior to first pitch, a traditional pitcher's duel was the result on the field, capitualting in a 2-1, walk-off winner for the Bisons over the Knights of Bellarmine University to complete a weekend sweep.
Prior to first pitch, the Bisons honored its seniors:
Jace Trautner,
Kai Holm,
Alexander Llinas,
Keaton Mahan,
Jake Poindexter,
Aaron Stelogeannis,
Collin Bosley-Smith,
Ryan Kutz,
Brock Puckett,
Kaleb Kantola and
Landon Kiefer.
Final Score: Lipscomb 2, Bellarmine 1
Location: Nashville, Tennessee (Ken Dugan Field at Stephen Lee Marsh Stadium)
Records: Lipscomb (24-23, 17-10), Bellarmine (19-30, 11-16)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Jordan Thomas homered down the left field line in the second inning, putting Lipscomb on the board first with his 10th of the season in the second.
In traditional "getaway" format with the final game of the series, there were a lot of swings on early pitches, as
Caleb Pica kept the shutout intact through five innings. In the fifth, thanks to Connor Pawlowski being out at third on a fielder's choice and a fly out, Pica kept the Knights off the board.
In the sixth, after the first three batters reached off Pica, the Bisons went into the bullpen in
Caden Shanks. After getting Eli Watson to pop out in the infield and a called third strike by Mason Acton, Shanks was able to get Pawlowski to roll over to the third base where
Cam Pruitt stepped on the bag to end the threat.
Lipscomb had chances to add insurance in the sixth and eighth, but that went for not, as the score stayed 1-0 after eight frames.
In the ninth, despite a bunt interference call by the Knights put one out on the board, an RBI single by Landon Akers evened the game at 1-1.
The Bisons' response was immediate. After a
Blake Carter single, a bunt single by
Damion Kenealy Jr. and a
Danny Ramirez walk to load the bases, they capitalized on a passed ball that allowed pinch runner
Eric Harper to score the decisive run. This late-game tension highlighted the resilience of the Lipscomb squad as they won two one-run games in the series sweep and is now 7-0 in one-run games this season.
HERD NOTES
With Friday night's win, the Bisons locked up a berth in the ASUN Baseball Tournament, scheduled for May 19-23 in DeLand, Florida at Stetson. Lipscomb will make its 16th appearance in the event, including the 12th straight year.
The Bisons are now 7-0 in one-run games this season. The most one-run wins in a season happened four times, most recently in 2023, with nine.
KEY STATISTICS
Jordan Thomas had a three-hit game for the Bisons, capped off with his 10th homer of the season.
Caleb Pica set a Lipscomb best with five innings pitched with three strikeouts.
UP NEXT
The final series of the regular season happens next week on the road at Central Arkansas. First pitch is scheduled for Thursday evening from Conway, Arkansas.
