Julien Benjamin (Staff Writer)
KSU’s losing streak extended to five games after the team dropped a 7-5 decision to the visiting Lipscomb Bisons Saturday afternoon. An early deficit due to poor pitching and defensive miscues prevented the Owls from rallying back, despite out-hitting their opponent 12-11.
“We’re making decent effort”, Manager Mike Sansing said after the loss. “We just aren’t getting the hits we need to, we need more offense.”
KSU had a relatively good day at the plate, collecting five runs while stranding just seven runners. Sansing credited defense for the loss.
“Defensively, we made some mistakes.”
Starter Travis Bergen (2-4) was tagged for six runs over five innings, but his line should have been much better. Defensive miscues in the third, with Alex Liquori’s error on a routine ground ball leading to an additional two runs scored, as well as in the sixth by catcher Brennan Morgan spotted Lipscomb with three free runs. James Connell, who took over for Bergen in the sixth, committed a cardinal sin by walking the first batter he faced, loading the bases for second baseman Mike Korte who slapped a two run single into right field to give the Bisons a 6-3 lead.
“Pitching hurt us too some”, said Sansing. “Bergen was battling, but they did a good job hitting him. We’ve got to be able to control some innings, we are giving up too many runs”.
The Owls for yet another game battled in the late innings to make a close game, continuing the streak this time when pinch-hitter Justin Motley and Kal Simmons both picked up RBI singles in the bottom of the sixth to cut Lipscomb’s lead to one.
In the top of the seventh, with the Bisons leading just 6-5, reliever Will Solomon walked the first two batters he faced, and then allowed a bunt single to third baseman Austin Sistrunk to load the bases. While Solomon worked out of the inning allowing just one run, the pressure became tighter on the Owls hitters, who went one for six in the final two innings, unable to advance a runner to second base.
Justin McCalvin continued his lights out pitching this season, tossing 1.1 innings to end the game for the Owls, lowering his ERA to a miniscule 0.93.
Kal Simmons hit his first home run of the season, a solo shot to right-center field in the fifth. His 4-5 day at the plate brings his season average to .342, good for second on the team.
Despite a rather pedestrian outing, Travis Bergen collected another six strikeouts, bringing his season total to 37, good for second in the conference.
“It would be huge to at least get one win”, Sansing said, talking about the series finale which will be played at 1 p.m. at Stillwell. KSU will attempt to stop their slide from reaching six straight.
