NASHVILLE, TN – The Fighting Irish fell to the Lipscomb Bison 5-4 in game one of the three-game series on Friday afternoon at Dugan Field. While the Irish brought it within one in the top of the ninth, their late efforts weren’t enough to overcome the three run deficit to start the inning.
The Bison offense struck first, taking the early 1-0 lead to end the first inning. While the second inning remained scoreless, Lipscomb was able to send home two more after a homer to left field in the bottom of the third. Sophomore left-handed pitcher Jack Findlay took the mound at the bottom of the fourth and went to work, delivering three straight strikeouts to take the Irish into the fifth inning.
Notre Dame struggled to connect at the plate, but in the top of the fifth, the offense was sparked by a homer to left field from junior TJ Williams as he brought home Casey Kmet from first who reached via a walk. The two-run play and scoreless bottom of the fifth brought the Irish within one at 3-2.
The Bison scored another pair in the sixth and extended their lead to 5-2 heading into the top of the seventh. Both the seventh and eighth remained scoreless for the Irish and the Bison until the top of the ninth. With Jack Penney on second and Nick DeMarco on first as a pinch runner for Nick Juaire, Penney would run home on a passed ball, followed by DeMarco scoring on a wild pitch. The Irish were able to close the gap to one with no outs, but were unable to capitalize as the Bison closed out the inning to take home the game one win.
UP NEXT
Notre Dame is back in action tomorrow for game two of the three-game series against Lipscomb at 3:00 p.m. ET (2:00 p.m. CT). Game three will take place on Sunday at Dugan Field at 2:00 p.m. ET (1:00 p.m. CT).