by Vanessa Medina | Mar 15, 2011 | News Slider, Sports
If you drive out to a Little League Ballpark and ask any little kid what they want to be when they grow up, most will answer “a professional baseball player.” Caleb Joseph, who was one of those kids before his time at Lipscomb, is living that dream, aiming for a roster spot with the Baltimore Orioles when spring training breaks. The former Bison star got the call to join the big league team in Florida when the Orioles opened camp this winter. Joseph is one of seven catchers in the rotation, meaning he will catch about every three games until the dust settles and the roster is filled. This will give him the opportunity to wear the official Baltimore Orioles jersey. He comes by his baseball love naturally. Mom and Dad both graduated from Lipscomb and were involved with athletics. His dad, Mark, played baseball for the Bisons during the NAIA days. Caleb’s sister, Carly, currently cheers at Lipscomb. Caleb’s younger brother, Corban, is also in the minor leagues and is working out with the New York Yankees. The young Joseph has been working with the major league stars after being called upon twice in the past week to play alongside Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira. He also gets to learn from one of the best second basemen in the league, Robinson Cano. Corban was drafted out of Franklin High School and bypassed college ball to try his hand in the majors. While the Joseph brothers are both in the minor league stages, they work out together and push each other. Caleb finally got to see Corban in action on the field last summer. “It’s...
by Ashlan Williams | Mar 4, 2011 | Sports
They’ve been training the last eight months for what will begin today, March 4. With two days of matches against Atlantic Sun foes, the weekend could set the tone for the season, for both the Bisons and Lady Bisons tennis teams. Lipscomb begins the six weeks of A-Sun conference competition by hosting Mercer University at noon Friday at the Huston-Marsh-Griffith Tennis Center. For men’s and women’s head coach Andrew Harris, the most exciting part will be opening up conference play on Lipscomb’s home courts in the great outdoors. “I think the biggest thing for our program right now is being able to finally start playing outside on campus,” Harris said. “Since Jan. 10, we have been practicing inside every night and playing all of our non-conference matches indoors. “So to be able to get outside last week for practice and have our conference matches here this weekend will be a huge boost for us, just from a motivational standpoint.” Both the men’s and women’s teams will begin the toughest portion of their schedule Friday with matches against Mercer before facing A-Sun rival Kennesaw State on Saturday morning. So far this season, the Lady Bisons have posted a 1-5 non-conference record heading into Friday’s opener. Harris said the women’s enthusiasm will help them as they begin conference play. “Our ladies continue to show a lot of heart and courage by coming to practice each night and creating a standard of energy and excitement,” Harris said. “Everyone of our ladies knows that they have a tremendous opportunity this year to set the bar high for the next few years for our...
by Cooper Torrez | Mar 3, 2011 | News Slider, Sports
The Lady Bisons return to Draper Diamond on Friday for the first time since last season. They will face off against Butler to kick off the Lady Bison Classic. The Lady Bisons come in to the game after playing in the Georgia Tournament and the UAB Tournament. Compiling a 5-8 record in the two tournaments, the Lady Bisons look to get back on track. Whitney Kiihnl plans on using her leadership to help the Lady Bisons throughout the season and this weekend. “I hope the other girls see me as a leader, in that they see me more as a spiritual leader,” Kiinhl said. “God allowed me to be a part of the Lipscomb softball team for a reason, and so hopefully I am doing God’s will by being a good influence on my teammates.” “I just try to tell the younger girls to be confident and believe in themselves. I’ve learned that the mental game is a huge part of playing at the college level. Believing in yourself can go a long way.” As far as the Lady Bison Classic goes, Kiinhl says it’s simple and it will be good to play at home. “I like playing at home because it’s just a comforting feeling,” Kiinhl said. “We’re used to the training room, the locker room and the field. I enjoy seeing my friends and all our supporters at the games. “We just have to show up to play. Offensively and defensively, we have to be prepared and on our A-game.” Kiihnl’s goal for the season may be different than most teams or players, but she is sure...
by Hunter Patterson | Mar 2, 2011 | Sports
After what has been an up-and-down season, the Lady Bisons are set for their matchup against number one ranked ETSU. Lipscomb is slated to take on ETSU in the first round of the Atlantic Sun tournament today on the campus of Mercer University. The Lady Bisons saw ETSU twice earlier this season, losing both times. However, just over a week ago Lipscomb was only down by three with a few minutes left to play. “We fouled too much the second half, and that cost us the game,” assistant coach Billy Snell said. “We felt like it was a game we let get away from us. We have had success against them, we just have to finish them off.” Finishing them off will not be an easy task, though. The Lady Bisons know what it takes to win big games like this. It will take a total team effort. Coach Snell believes that the team’s effort will start underneath the basket. “We have to win the boards,” Snell said. “We have to do a better job of keeping [ETSU] off the glass and limiting their shots.” Lipscomb’s coaches do not believe that ETSU is going to just beat them simply because their record is better. Lipscomb’s strong play against the Lady Bucs in their last matchup proves to the team that the Lady Bisons have a chance of pulling off the upset today. “When we played defense and didn’t foul, we got stops,” Snell said. “We have to make them earn every one of their points.” Another key for the Lady Bisons is getting production from everyone that is on...
by Cooper Torrez | Mar 2, 2011 | Sports
The Bisons opening round matchup in the A-Sun tournament is a familiar one– the host team, the Mercer Bears. Mercer comes off a season finale win over the Bisons 68-67, but the Bisons got the better of Mercer on Dec. 4 in Allen Arena with a 77-65 win. Each team won the regular season matchup on their home court, but Coach Sanderson knows there is much more to winning than just home court advantage. “It’s more about us,” Sanderson said. “It’s not necessarily about Mercer, it’s more about what we do. I think we have won the last four times at Mercer besides our last game in which we were only beat by 1, so I think it’s more about what we do and how we prepare. “We just have to be more focused and know that we have been successful down [at Mercer] before.” Seniors Josh Slater and Adnan Hodzic get much of the attention from opposing teams, and rightfully so. Adnan leads the team in points per game (18) and rebounds (7.5). While Slater leads the team in assists per game (4.7) and is second in points per game (16.5). A big key to the game and tournament is balance. “We just need to be more balanced,” Sanderson said. “If those two guys (Hodzic and Slater) have career nights there is a chance we still may not win, so we have to have balance throughout our roster. We have to have everyone step up and do the things we ask them to do, both offensively and defensively, to take the pressure off of Adnan and Josh as...
