Sunday, March 12, 2006

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 12, 2006) - Freshman Josh Smith delivered a workman's performance, limiting the Buccaneers to three runs on four hits, and throwing 155 pitches in a complete game victory as the Bisons defeated ETSU 8-3 in the series finale Sunday afternoon at Ken Dugan Field.

Smith, who threw two innings in Friday's series opener, pitched out of a bases loaded jam in the third inning, and silenced the Buc bats over the final four innings to pick up his second win of the year.

Senior Blake Church (Roswell, Ga.) staked the Bucs (11-8, 2-1) to a 1-0 lead in the third inning, blasting his third home run of the season over the left field wall.  Three Lipscomb errors led to two more Buccaneer runs in the frame, as junior Stephen Douglas (Kennesaw, Ga.) drove in sophomore Bubba Herbold (Knoxville, Tenn.) with a sacrifice fly, and senior Chuck Hargis (Powell, Tenn.) drew a bases loaded walk, plating senior Josiah Glafenhein (Knoxville, Tenn.)

Trailing 3-1 in the fifth, Lipscomb pounded starter Tony Lombardi (Windsor, Calif.) for three runs on three hits.  After a leadoff strikeout, the Bisons (7-8, 1-2) tied the game with three consecutive hits; a single by first baseman Jeff Baumgartner, a double from second baseman Whit Redd and a base clearing two-RBI triple by left fielder Preston Embrey.  Shortstop Tadd Brewer delivered what proved to be the game-winning RBI with a sacrifice fly to left one batter later.

Lipscomb iced the contest with two-run innings in the sixth and the eighth.

Lombardi falls to 0-5 with the loss, giving up six runs (five earned) and nine hits in six innings of work.  Smith improved to 2-2 on the season, striking out 11 in the complete game performance.

Glafenhein went 0-for-2 at the plate, snapping his 11-game hitting streak.

The Bucs return home to face Siena in a non-conference match-up Monday, March 13.  First pitch is set for 7 p.m.