NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Belmont Baseball dropped a 4-1 decision to Lipscomb University Tuesday afternoon at E.S. Rose Park, as a tight pitchers' duel turned in the middle innings.
Belmont starter Andrew Perry delivered one of his sharpest starts of the season, working four innings while allowing just two runs on four hits and striking out six. Perry retired six of the first seven batters he faced and kept Lipscomb off balance early, using command on both sides of the plate to strand runners through the opening three innings.
The Bruins threatened first in the opening frame when Charlie Davis singled and stole second, but Lipscomb escaped the inning with a double play to keep the game scoreless.
The turning point came in the top of the fourth inning when Lipscomb strung together back-to-back hits after a leadoff single from Kai Holm. A sacrifice fly from Cam Pruitt brought home the first run before Danny Ramirez followed with an RBI double to right field, giving the Bisons a 2-0 advantage and shifting momentum.
Belmont answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning when Mike Sprockett launched a solo home run to cut the deficit to 2-1, giving the Bruins life and trimming the margin to one.
After Perry's outing ended, Belmont's bullpen kept the game within reach for much of the afternoon. Sam Heyman struck out three over three innings, but Lipscomb added an unearned run in the sixth after a defensive miscue allowed Aaron Stelogeannis to reach before eventually scoring on a single from Pruitt.
Belmont had its best late opportunity in the seventh when Nate Webb doubled down the right field line with two outs, but Lipscomb stranded the runner to preserve the two-run lead.
The Bisons added insurance in the eighth when Stelogeannis scored on a wild pitch after leading off the inning with a double, extending the lead to 4-1.
Sprockett accounted for Belmont's lone run with his fourth-inning homer, while Charlie Davis and Nate Webb added the Bruins' other two hits.
Belmont was limited to three hits overall as Lipscomb's bullpen combined for four scoreless innings to close the game.
Up Next
Belmont will continue their home stretch with a weekend series against UIC with first pitch at 4:00 PM Friday from E.S. Rose Park.
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