It was almost a perfect conclusion to an already special weekend for the Lipscomb softball team — almost.
After winning the first two games of the three-game conference series on Saturday, the Lady Bisons were upended by the North Florida Ospreys 7-6 on Sunday afternoon at Draper Diamond at Smith Field.
Despite a late rally in the sixth and seventh innings, the Lady Bisons came up short in the end of the last game.
“We did a good job late in the game with runners on, but not early in the game,” Lipscomb coach Kristin Ryman said. “It stinks that six runs is not enough. I think we should have capitalized on some things earlier in the game but we didn’t.”
Lipscomb had no problem getting on base, as they recorded nine hits total, but couldn’t quite finish the job when they needed to.
“We can’t leave bases loaded twice in the first five innings,” Ryman said. “That was a killer.”
Despite the loss on Sunday, Ryman was optimistic about the two wins on Saturday.
“We’re at the point of the season where every game matters,” Ryman said. “That is a positive takeaway.”
The Lady Bisons were led offensively by senior Paige Neely and freshman Abby Fenichel who each had three hits while junior Baylee Williams added two of her own.
Williams and junior Brittany Elmore also led the way with two RBI’s a piece.
In the circle, junior Kelly Young was accredited with the loss. She gave up six runs on five hits while striking out seven.
Senior Gracey Aguirre bolted a solo homer over the left-center field fence in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the Lady Bisons a 2-1 victory over North Florida and a sweep in game two of the doubleheader.
“Honestly I was just ready to get a hit,” Aguirre said. “I’ve been in a little slump lately, and I was just ready to get up there and crush the ball.”
It was a fitting ending to an exciting day for the Lady Bisons who were celebrating 20 years of Lipscomb softball. Several former players and their families were in attendance for the games at Smith Stadium.
“It’s great to let them know that we’re still representing the softball team very well and doing everything we can to live through them,” Aguirre said.
The game was scoreless until the sixth inning when both teams scored a run. The Ospreys scored on a wild pitch. The Lady Bisons responded with a triple to right field by sophomore Mimi Cartwright, who was driven in by freshman Caitlin Plocheck on a single.
The Lady Bisons recorded eight hits total led by Aguirre, Plocheck and Elmore, who each had two apiece.
Junior pitcher Tanner Sanders went the distance for the Purple and Gold. She gave up just four hits and three walks while striking out eight batters.
In game one, the Lady Bisons beat the Ospreys 6-1.
Lipscomb struck early scoring three runs in the second inning to take a 3-0 lead. North Florida answered with a run of their own in the third.
Lipscomb opened up the lead by adding three more runs in the sixth inning.
Neely and Cartwright each recorded two hits as the Lady Bisons finished with eight.
In the circle, Young earned her 11th win of the season after she struck out 10 batters while giving up five hits and two walks.
Haley Elliot, who played for the Lady Bisons from 2010 to 2014, was on hand to watch some of her former teammates.
“It’s nice seeing them continue to do well,” Elliot said. “It’s a fun time being able to come back and support, and be able to watch instead of having the pressure of playing.
“It’s fun being able to see them, especially the seniors we spent the most time together, getting to enjoy their last season.”
After this weekend series, the Lady Bisons are in third place in the Atlantic Sun with a record of 21-22 overall and 7-5 in conference play.
Lipscomb softball will return to Draper Diamond for a non-conference tilt against Tennessee Tech on Wednesday at 5 p.m.