Baseball Fails to Sweep Battle of the Boulevard

Baseball fell short to Lipscomb University despite a late-game surge, losing 5-4.

The game opened with right-handed pitcher Owen Marsh starting on the mound for the first time this season.

Lipscomb infielder Kai Holm got the Bisons their first hit of the game, singling to third base, though nothing would come of it.

With Pete Daniel–who leads the team in hits–out of the game due to an illness, second baseman Charlie Davis would start at the top of the batting order.

The Bruins failed to reach base in their first inning offensively.

In the top of the second inning, Marsh recorded the first strikeout of the game.

The game remained scoreless until the top of the third and right-handed pitcher Jonathan Van Ness would take over on the mound.

After back-to-back putouts from the Bruins, Holm got another hit, this time off of Van Ness.

Holm’s teammate infielder Parks Bouck batted him in, doubling down the left field line to take the 1-0 lead. Lipscomb followed with infielder David Coppedge getting another RBI, the inning would close 2-0.

The Bruins struggled offensively and the dugout got quiet, it took until the fourth inning for Davis to record their first hit of the game to create a little momentum for the Bruins, though nothing would materialize and Belmont remained without a run to show.

Right-handed pitcher Zane Brown came in for only the top of the fifth, recording one strikeout.

Still, the Bruins could not answer any runs with another three-up, three-down to close out the inning.

The top of the sixth became a defensive struggle for the Bruins and a smash hit for the Bisons with infielder Brady Miller recording a home run along with Holm and Coppedge batting in runners to add to their lead, making it 5-0.

The bottom of the sixth was swaying to go the same way as the previous innings with infielder Tucker Smith striking out first, though Davis got a single and the energy in the dugout started to get some buzz.

Right fielder Ty Allen stepped on to the plate, and after the first three pitches he sent a ball down left center field, batting in Davis for the Bruins first run of the game, making the score

5-1.

The dugout came alive.

Landon Godsey, who took over for shortstop for Daniel’s absence, followed Allen getting walked to add another Bruin on base.

Hope was filling the dugout as catcher Mike Sprockett stepped onto the plate. The Bisons decided to change it up on the mound bringing in left-handed pitcher Jake Lynch for right-handed pitcher Bryce Houghton.

Lynch sent the third pitch down home plate and a crack rang from Sprockett's bat and the ball flew out of right field for a home run bringing in Allen and Godsey as well to get them with in reach of the Bisons bring the score to 5-4.

The dugout had no shortage of chatter and cheers like it did early in the game from then on.

Left-handed pitcher Andrew Perry came in to pitch for the final two innings and the Bisons would not reach home plate.

In the bottom of the ninth, confidence filled the dugout, the Bruins needed to make a few plays to potentially win the game and get the season sweep over Lipscomb to claim the boulevard.

Designated hitter Gardner Lawrence was the first at bat and walked to first, Cade Batchelor would swap with him to be base runner.

Centerfielder Michael Lareau reached first on a fielder's choice, but in return Batchelor got out on second. Infielder Dean Spoto had a fastball hit him, walking him to first, followed by Davis reaching first on a fielder’s choice and the bases were loaded.

Left fielder Blake Barton wasted no time on the plate, making contact with the ball on the first pitch sending it to third base, but the Bisons fielded it for a double play, ending the game in a 5-4 Bruins loss.

The Bruins now drop to 9-17 and face Missouri Valley Conference rival Missouri State away this weekend.  

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This article was written by Reece Leddy