HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Five players went 2-for-4 from the plate to lead the Lipscomb University softball team to a 6-0 victory over Northern Kentucky University on Saturday in Atlantic Sun Conference action from the Frank Ignatius Grien Softball Field.
Baylee Williams led the way for Lipscomb (14-17 overall, 2-2 A-Sun), recording two hits, driving in two and scoring once, while Brittany Elmore went 2-for-4 with one RBI and one run scored. Abby Fenichel and Brianne Welch rounded out the two-hit players and each scored a run for the Lady Bisons, who collected 12 hits on the day and left eight runners stranded.
Kelly Young (8-9) earned the victory in the circle for Lipscomb, pitching a one-hit, complete-game shutout. She struck out 15 batters and walked just two.
After two scoreless innings, Lipscomb jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the third. Elmore sent a one-out single through the left side, and she sandwiched a Paige Neely fly out with a pair of stolen bases to take third base.
Williams singled up the middle, scoring Elmore, for a 1-0 Lady Bisons advantage. Lipscomb scored its second run of the game on a Gracey Aguirre triple to right field, which brought Williams home. The Lady Bisons added a run in the fourth on a bases-loaded wild pitch by
Alyssa Enrique, pushing Lipscomb ahead, 3-0.
With one out in the top of the sixth inning, Lipscomb extended its lead even further. Caitlin Plocheck reached base and advanced to second on a dropped fly by shortstop
Sydney Ferrante. Welch followed with an infield single before Kasey Gibson singled up the middle to load the bases.
Elmore recorded the Lady Bison's third straight single to bring Plocheck home, and Neely was walked, which allowed Welch to score to push Lipscomb ahead, 5-0. The final run of the inning came as Williams reached on a fielder's choice and Gibson scored.
Ferrante recorded the only NKU (4-17 overall, 1-3 A-Sun) hit, a one-out single to right field in the bottom of the fourth inning.
NKU and Lipscomb return to the field for a noon doubleheader on Sunday. A link to live stats is available at NKUNorse.com, and fans unable to make it can track the game's progress by following @NKUNorseGameDay on Twitter.
