by Eric Ansett | Mar 9, 2017 | News Slider, Sports
The commonly used sports axiom, “a win is a win,” proved true for the Lipscomb baseball team on Wednesday night. The Bisons came back on three separate occasions, then got out of a bases-loaded jam to hold on for an 11-9 win in a 3-hour and 50 minute marathon at Dugan Field. The win brings the Bisons to 8-4 on the season as they head into a 3-game series with University of Michigan, who cracked the top-25 this past week. Lipscomb starter Dayton Tripp (2-0) did not have his best stuff on the mound, and the opponent Tennessee Tech took advantage early. First baseman Chase Chambers got the scoring started with a single that drove in two runs in the first frame. Infielder Matt Jones belted a hanging breaking ball into left-center for two more runs in the second. Designated hitter Ryan Flick went yard in the third to make the score 5-0, Golden Eagles. “We just started slow, and sometimes that happens after a long weekend [at Auburn] and when school starts to catch up to you,” skipper Jeff Forehand said. Not to worry. Comeback number one came in the bottom of the fifth inning. Left-fielder Von Watson singled, followed by a Jeffrey Crisan double, before shortstop Blake Watson got an RBI single to bring the Bisons on the board. Junior star Michael Gigliotti walked to load the bases before second baseman Lee Solomon was hit by a pitch to bring home another run. First baseman Cade Sorrels got an RBI groundout, and Gigliotti eventually scored on another wild pitch by the Golden eagles. Junior Jake Perry drove Solomon in with...
by Olivia Waldorf | Mar 8, 2017 | News Slider
Three speakers from the Colorado Springs-based Axis organization spoke at Tuesday’s Gathering about what it means to be human in a digital world. Stephanie, Josh and Matt are members of AXIS, based in Colorado Springs, and have traveled across the United States and Canada to have positive conversation about media, culture and world views. They weaved through the crowd, getting on the students’ level, pressing everyone to think about how to live amongst the people of our culture. “God has a very good design for the world but it’s lost in translation because of things happening in our culture,” they said. The group from AXIS asked the students for comments, other thoughts and pushback. They wanted to start a dialogue instead of just speaking at the students. The phrases “be authentic,” “follow your heart,” and “be true to yourself” were used to ignite conversation in the crowd. “Look back at the beginning of this story,” they said. “God created something from nothing. He created man and woman in his image to help earth flourish. Adam means humanity and Eve means life.” The group continued by saying that Christians should strive to recreate positivity but sin always enters the picture. According to AXIS, communities live in a self-centered society, completely to the level of narcissism. “Let’s define freedom right now,” they said. “Is it to make a choice or have no boundaries? Whatever it is, we’re living in a unique cultural moment. We see 3,000 ads per day. Selling us ideas, products, what the good, happy life looks like.” These advertisements are focused on the consumer, and because of this, they become...
by Ellen Butterfield | Mar 7, 2017 | News Slider
Lipscomb’s resident dance company, Foundation Dance Theatre (FDT), will perform Elevate: Still I Rise March 8-10 at 7:30 p.m. each night in Shamblin Theatre. Lipscomb professors Kari Smith and Leigh Anne Ervin are directing the spring concert. “The ‘Still I Rise’ subtitle is based on one of our cornerstone pieces in the show, which is Maya Angelou reading her poem,” Smith said, adding, “and we set a beautiful piano piece underneath the spoken word poem. This piece interprets the poem, and how she was able to rise above no matter what obstacles came her way.” The dances for this concert are choreographed to tell a story related to the theme, and styles including jazz, classical ballet, modern, tap, musical theater and hip hop are performed. The program includes “Try Everything” from the Zootopia soundtrack, as well as “My Shot” from the hit Broadway musical Hamilton. This year, the theatre department changed the Elevate concert from two productions each year to just one production in the spring semester. Ervin said that she thinks this allows time for the pieces to come together more fully. “With the concert this [spring] semester, we’ve been cultivating a few pieces since September,” Ervin said. “It’s been nice to have time for those pieces to breathe a bit.” Not only have the dancers and choreographers had more time to prepare, but Ervin said she believes the ‘Still I Rise’ aspect of the show has become a relevant message for Lipscomb’s campus as well as the country. “I think Angelou’s timeless poem embodies not only the vision for our concert, but also a hopeful vision for your country,”...
by Tyler Harvey | Mar 6, 2017 | News Slider, Sports
The Lipscomb Lady Bisons participated in the Purple and Gold Challenge at Draper Diamond over the weekend. The team dominated the field against Stony Brook with a score of 7-1, Valparaiso (7-0) and Easter Illinois (4-0, 8-0). Sophomore pitcher Mandy Jordan shut down Eastern Illinois for Lipscomb during the first game on Friday, limiting the Panthers to no runs and only three hits. Saturday morning, senior pitcher McCarley Thomas threw a shut out against Valparaiso, granting the team with the first loss in the season. Saturday afternoon Lipscomb went head-to-to head with Stony Brook and came out victorious as well. Sophomore third baseman Sarah Higgins finished the game two-for-four with a homerun and four RBI’s. In the final game of the Purple and Gold Challenge, Lipscomb played Eastern Illinois for a second time, earning a score of 4-0. Lipscomb finished the tournament with a 15-5 season record, 4-0 in the Purple and Gold Challenge and 5-0 at home. The Lipscomb Lady Bisons on Wednesday will take on Campbell at Draper Diamond and will travel to Memphis for an away tournament next weekend. Photo courtesy of Lipscomb...
by Cole Gray | Mar 4, 2017 | News Slider, Sports
Michael Gigliotti came to Lipscomb as an unpolished speed-demon with a chance to make an impact at the top of the batting order. He may walk away as the most-decorated player in Bison baseball history. “Gigs” is carrying a host of preseason accolades into his junior year: three preseason All-America selections, ASUN Conference Preseason Player of the year, ASUN Conference Defensive player of the year and a spot on the Golden Spikes Award watchlist. MLB.com named him the 23rd-best prospect in the country and a top-five outfielder. What did it take for the centerfielder that couldn’t bunt and played left field in high school to become a top prospect? A fateful batting practice two years ago, a wrist injury and a busy summer. Gigliotti arrived at Lipscomb in 2014 after consecutive state championships in Florida under legendary coach Rich Bielski. But the first time he tried to lay down a drag bunt in batting practice, assistant coach Brad Coon laughed in his face. Coon was a standout center fielder and leadoff batter like Gigliotti but was an expert bunter. He played at Trevecca Nazarene University for Lipscomb head coach Jeff Forehand. Coon was drafted by the Angels in the 15th round of the 2005 MLB Draft and reached Triple-A before retiring in 2012. “Michael being the same player that I am really helped me help him,” Coon said. “I know what he’s going through. I know how they’re going to pitch him. I know what it takes to play at the next level for him. I know what people want to see — what he needs to improve in....
by Savannah Stewart | Mar 3, 2017 | News Slider
The sickness going around campus has affected people from Starbucks baristas to pledge mistresses. Mackenzie Baltz, sophomore and Pi Delta Pledge Mistress, and Zack Curtis, senior and on-campus Starbucks Barista, have been affected by the sickness going around — yet in different ways. Baltz has been sick the last couple of weeks, with she and her roommate sharing their illnesses, making the sickness last longer. “It started off for me as a stomach bug and for [my roommate] it was an upper respiratory infection, and then we gave it to each other,” Baltz said. The dorms make the situation less ideal and more contagious. “I know I have seen a lot of girls in the dorms constantly getting sick,” Baltz said, adding, “and then their roommate gets sick, so it’s hard when you live in such close quarters.” As the Pi Delta Pledge Mistress, Baltz saw many girls in other clubs getting sick, but noted that, “A lot of our girls weren’t as sick as in other clubs.” Baltz observed that the week after pledge week was the worst, health-wise. “People were so drained, their energy levels dropped, so their immune system dropped, and they were getting sick left and right,” she said. Baltz rested a lot to help herself recover. Curtis revealed the secret of the Starbucks drink, “The Medicine Ball,” also known as “The Coldbuster.” These drinks are listed on the secret Starbucks menu online. “Make it with lemonade and steep that with hot water first with one ‘Mint Majesty’ and one ‘Peach Tranquility,’” Curtis said. Since so many people were using this drink to bust their colds, they ran out of “Mint Majesy” and...
