NASHVILLE- The Lipscomb softball team defeated the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles 6-1 on Sunday after splitting the two-game doubleheader against the Eagles on Saturday.
Freshman pitcher Kate Peters pitched for the entire game, earning two strikeouts and only allowing three hits on the day.
Despite an Eagles’ home run in the third inning to cut the Bisons’ lead to one run, Peters’ performance did not falter as she did not allow another run in the game and improved her record to 2-0 on the season.
The team trusted Peters to finish the game and Peters expressed her gratitude for the team to continue her play. “I think [the team] having confidence in me going out there is a really big thing that helps me get ready,” Peters said. “I always have confidence in myself.”
Kamrie Rich, a redshirt junior catcher, had an outstanding performance at the plate, tallying two home runs and four RBIs.
Lipscomb took the first lead of the game after Rich’s two-run homer in the first inning. Rich extended her mark to five home runs on the season to lead the Bisons on the year.
Hailing from Lexington, Kentucky, Elise Shewmaker converted two RBIs off a double in the third inning when a hit to right field resulted in an error for an Eagles’ outfielder. The Bisons’ double would extend the lead to 4-1.
Amy Vetula, a senior from Canton, Georgia, recorded one hit and two runs in the game. A day after suffering a threatening injury, Vetula’s presence was met by cheers from the crowd every time she stepped up to the plate.
“I definitely do recognize [the cheers] and it makes me have more confidence,” Vetula said. “I think it proves all of my hard work.”
The Bisons earned its first series win in conference play and evened its conference record at 3-3. Next, the Bisons will look to get its first win against the 15th-ranked Tennessee Volunteers.
The Bisons only lost by two to a second-ranked Florida State team earlier in the year and believe they can keep it close for its matchup against the Lady Vols.
“I feel like we’ll probably have a similar approach,” Vetula said. “We really have nothing to lose.”
With the win, the Bisons improve to 13-18 on the year with a 3-3 record in the ASUN Conference. FGCU drops to 4-5 in conference play.
Lipscomb will look to continue their momentum 4 p.m. Wednesday in Knoxville as they face SEC opponent Tennessee.
Photo courtesy of Lipscomb Athletics