The Lipscomb Lady Bisons’ (25-24) strong bats run-ruled the Tennessee State Tigers (10-40) 10-1 Tuesday evening at Draper Diamond at Smith Stadium.
Lipscomb put on its annual “Think Pink” and “Strike Out” cancer fundraiser. All proceeds went to cancer research and allowed the Lady Bisons to sport their pink tops for the game.
In the first inning, freshman Mandy Jordan got rolling early and struck out the side to start for Lipscomb.
“I thought Mandy had a great first inning to set the tone,” head coach Kristin Ryman said.
The Lady Bisons’ offense helped her by drawing three walks and collecting four hits that turned into five runs and a commanding 5-0 lead. One of those hits was by freshman Malorie Giere, who hit a shot off the wall that scored three of those early runs for Lipscomb.
Senior Dee Baddley made a leaping grab to steal a homerun from Danica Gleason and record the last out of the top of the third.
“We’ve talked so much this year about staying in attack mode, not just offensively but defensively too,” Ryman said.
Caitlin Plocheck got the bottom of the inning started by smashing a solo homer to add another run for Lipscomb to increase the lead to 6-0.
“She’s [Plocheck] been in a real groove,” Ryman said. “Having Plocheck doing what she’s doing right now is such a key for our lineup.”
Freshman Abi Stephens got the Tigers on the board with a solo homerun of her own in the top of the fourth inning, cutting the lead to 6-1.
“One of things we’re trying to work on with her is when she’s cruising along to not have that lull,” Ryman said. “Where all of the sudden she thinks, ‘Hey, I’m good,’ and that’s when a team is going to sneak up on you.”
Senior Baylee Williams found the gap and hit a three-run triple to add three more runs to the Bison lead, making it 9-1.
Sophomore Riley Brown pinch-hit for Kayla Green and knocked in Williams from third to increase the lead once again, extending it to 10-1.
Mandy Jordan (3-2) finished with a career-high 11 strikeouts and her third win of the season. She helped make sure the Lady Bisons finished in five innings since the game was called because of the run rule.
“I thought she did a great job tonight coming out and attacking,” Ryman said. “She’s one of those pitchers who can dominate a game from the circle.”
The Lady Bisons will host a rescheduled game against UAB next Tuesday, May 3, at 6:30 p.m. for the final home game of the season.
Photo courtesy of Lipscomb Athletics