by Lumination Staff | May 7, 2020 | News Slider, Sports
By. Makena Sneed, Alex Newsome and Erika Plunkett The 2020 Lipscomb Bison baseball team was off to the best start in program history when its season — along with the rest of the country — came to a crashing halt as the coronavirus concern grew. “I don’t think any of us knew the magnitude of what was going on, and to have the season canceled at first it was like, ‘wow, that is that really what we’re doing,’” said Bisons head coach Jeff Forehand. “And then as the thing has played out a little bit more we’ve all recognized that it was probably the best decision.” While the shock of the sudden decision has faded into understanding and respect for the safety of players, coaches and fans, the pain of losing such a promising season is still fresh on the Bisons’ minds. “My heart dropped when I heard the news,” said sophomore catcher Chaz Bertolani. “It was a total letdown to hear from our coach that our season was terminated. I felt heartbroken looking at my teammates, as we sat in the bullpen in silence.” “We were just super disappointed because we knew we had a really good thing going,” said senior infielder Haddon Adams. On March 30, the NCAA made an unprecedented decision to try and ease the heartbreak from the impact of COVID-19 when it was announced that all spring athletes will receive an extra year of eligibility. The catcher said that certainly won’t hurt the team next season: “Preparation will be the same [for next season], but with all the returning and new players, our team...
by Erika Plunkett | Feb 13, 2020 | News Slider, Sports
Coming off of third-place in the ASUN a year ago, the Bisons will return to Dugan Field on Friday for Valentine’s Day opener against Bowling Green State University. But, it’s a new year for Lipscomb. “Last year’s momentum is probably gone. It’s a new team, a new setup, and a new environment,” said Lipscomb coach Jeff Forehand. Since the last time the Bisons stepped onto the diamond, 10 seniors graduated and five more players moved on from Lipscomb, including pitcher Chris Kachmar, who was drafted by the Chicago Cubs organization last June. But despite the changes from a season ago, Forehand is optimistic that this team, which he describes as “gritty,” is ready to step up to the challenge. “I think this team is focused. They [ASUN preseason poll] selected us as sixth, which gives us a little momentum to jump into the season and be ready to rock and roll,” said Forehand. Forehand’s confidence stems from the recruiting class and junior college transfers that he and his assistant coaches have brought in. “We just bring new people in. We knew those guys were leaving – some of them had been around for a long time – so we had been preparing for them to leave for a while now. Now it’s other folks time to step up and do their job,” said Forehand. Not only did Forehand bring in 15 players who can bring an immediate impact to the Bisons team, but he also has a network of sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are ready to take over the reins. “It’s just a chance for those new guys...
by Erika Plunkett | Jun 13, 2019 | News Slider, Sports
Former Lipscomb pitcher Chris Kachmar was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 28th round of the Major League draft. The right-hander, who finished his senior campaign with a record of 9-3 and a 3.61 era, was a first-team all-conference selection in the ASUN. He also earned ASUN pitcher of the week awards in two consecutive weeks at the end of the regular season for his performances against North Florida and Liberty. “I think the thing that stands out to everybody about Chris is just his work ethic and how much he has improved since we got him,” said Lipscomb coach Jeff Forehand. “He and our pitching coach, James Ogden, have worked really hard. It’s both of them, but it’s Chris’s work ethic and discipline to be the best that he can be that put him in that position to make all-conference this year and for the Cubs to recognize him as a draft pick.” Kachmar, from East Greenville, Pennsylvania, transferred before the 2017-18 season to Lipscomb from Palm Beach State College. At Palm Beach he compiled an earned run average of 3.79 as a sophomore. At Lipscomb in his junior year, Kachmar was able to step in and provide an immediate impact, but his season was cut short due to an injury. “He finished last May pretty much unable to pitch, so he went home for a few weeks, let that rest, came back, enrolled in summer classes and just started training and rehabbing his bad back,” Forehand said. “He got better, and he just continued to look forward every day to those 15 or 16 starts that...
by Charissa Ricker | Apr 17, 2019 | News Slider, Sports
The Lipscomb baseball team beat the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 12-10 Tuesday night in a nail-biting game at Dugan Field. Middle Tennessee (15-22, 9-6 C-USA) started the game with two runs in the top of the first, but the Bisons (19-17, 3-6 ASUN) quickly took the lead in the bottom of the second. David Graves tripled to right center, sending Josh Martinez to score. Brian Moore hit a home run afterward, sending Graves home and giving Lipscomb the edge to start third inning, 3-2. Lipscomb’s lead didn’t last long, as Middle Tennessee scored five runs in the top of the third. However, the Bisons lessened the gap to 7-5 as Graves hit a double in the bottom of the third inning, sending Cade Sorrells home, later followed by Chris Bashlor. The fourth and fifth innings were scoreless for the Bisons with Middle Tennessee scoring two runs in the top of the fourth, but the Bisons recovered and scored four runs at the bottom of the sixth, tying up the game 9-9. In the bottom of the seventh the Bisons took the lead 11-9 after three scoreless innings for Middle Tennessee. While the Blue Raiders tried to make a comeback at the top of the eighth with one run, they struck out, leaving Lipscomb the chance to score once more before the ninth inning. Despite the Blue Raiders’ strong lead in the third inning, Lipscomb was able to gain some momentum that led to the win. “When Max Habegger came in in the fifth inning, he gave us three scoreless innings,” Lipscomb coach Jeff Forehand said. “When he came in,...
by Tyler Harvey | Apr 11, 2019 | News Slider, Sports
Lipscomb baseball played the Kentucky Wildcats Wednesday night at Dugan Field in a game that came down to a tough fielding play and a rough eighth inning for the Bisons. A popup just beyond the infield in the fifth inning got lost in the lights and ended up bringing in two runs for the Wildcats. Then in the eighth inning, Kentucky was able to score four runs, all with two outs. Coming into the game The Bisons came into the game off a tough road trip that started with ASUN conference foe Florida Gulf Coast, who swept the Bisons in a three-game series, and ended in Knoxville where the Volunteers hit seven home runs to defeat Lipscomb 11- 2. Kentucky also came into the game on a rough stretch that had seen them lose seven of their past 10 games after starting their season with a 14-8 record. Senior Erik Gutierrez made his second start of the season for the Bisons on the mound, while Kentucky put forward freshman starting pitcher Dillon Marsh. Both starting pitchers have begun the season with rough stat lines. Gutierrez came in having pitched 10 innings on the season and earning a 4.50 era, while Marsh had pitched 24 innings and earned a 6.75 era. The Game Both pitchers might have finally gotten their season on the right track with their starts Wednesday night. Gutierrez got through the first four innings of the game not giving up any runs and only allowing two hits and one walk to the Wildcats. Marsh allowed more baserunners than Gutierrez through four innings, giving up four hits to...
