By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech baseball team grabbed an early lead in Nashville Tuesday afternoon, but couldn't overcome a stellar pitching performance from the Lipscomb pitching staff as the Bisons downed the Golden Eagles, 7-1.

Representing the first batter of the second inning, redshirt freshman Ryan Flick worked a full count before finally finding a pitch he liked. The designated hitter crushed his second career long ball to right field, providing the Tech squad with an early 1-0 advantage.

After allowing two more hits to Jake Farr and Chase Chambers, Lipscomb hurler Jaesung Hwang shut the door the rest of the way, allowing just one more hit in the fifth inning before being replaced in the eighth. The Bisons starter tossed seven innings on his way to his first victory of the year.

Lipscomb managed to score single runs in the third, fifth and sixth innings, taking a 3-1 lead into the bottom of the eighth. The Bisons then took advantage of a Golden Eagle miscue to score four unearned insurance runs and capture a 7-1 victory. Michael Gigliotti led the Lipscomb offense, going 3-for-4 with three RBI and three runs scored.

Flick finished the day with two hits in four trips to the plate, driving in Tech's lone run of the afternoon. Fellow freshman Chase Chambers also collected two hits, recording a 2-for-2 day at the plate while getting hit by a pitch.

Tech starter Jacob Honea, who took the hill for the first time this season after recovering from injury, tossed two scoreless innings to kick start the day. The senior allowed just one hit while striking out one batter. Six pitchers took to the mound for the Golden Eagles, combining for nine strikeouts.

The Golden Eagles will return to action Wednesday afternoon when the team returns to Cookeville to host first-time opponent La Salle in a 3 p.m. contest at Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex.

Photo by Jim Dillon