Pitcher Chris Kachmar selected by Chicago Cubs in MLB Draft

Pitcher Chris Kachmar selected by Chicago Cubs in MLB Draft

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...

The Postgame: Summer edition

The summer of 2014 has reached the halfway mark, and Nashville has had its full share of sports news in May and June. Here is a recap on what you may have missed. Lipscomb Baseball: Former Lipscomb baseball stars Rex Brothers and Caleb Joseph have been performing well in the MLB. Joseph, who was called up to the majors on May 7, hit his first home run on June 22 against the New York Yankees. After coming very close to making the MLB All Star team last summer, on June 14 Brothers became the first pitcher in Colorado Rockies history to pitch an “immaculate inning,” which means he struck out three batters on only nine pitches in the inning. Rex’s younger brother Hunter was drafted by his brother’s team, the Rockies, in the 30th round of the 2014 MLB draft. Brothers is currently pitching for the Grand Junction Rockies of the Pioneer League. Former Bisons Chris Nunn and Josh Smith are also currently playing in the Minor Leagues. Nunn is pitching for the Lake Elsinore Storm of the California League, while Josh Smith is suiting up for the Louisville Bats of the International League. Lipscomb Track and Field: The Lipscomb track and field team continued their run of success from the fall semester into the spring and concluded their triumphant run through the summer thanks to appearances at the NCAA Nationals by Gemikal Prude and Madi Talbert, as well as participation in the NCAA East Preliminaries by Prude, Talbert and Colin Dempster. Talbert was named a Second Team All-American, while Prude earned an honorable mention All-American spot. Vanderbilt Baseball:...

Former Bison Caleb Joseph makes MLB debut

Former Lipscomb Bison baseball player Caleb Joseph’s journey to the majors has seen stops in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and Arizona since he was selected in the seventh round of the 2008 Major League Baseball draft. On Wednesday night in Tampa, Joseph made his MLB debut for the Baltimore Orioles against the Tampa Bay Rays. Joseph, who replaced usual starter at catcher Matt Wieters, batted 0-3 on the night. Joseph has spent the last seven years playing baseball in various minor leagues with great success since his playing days at Lipscomb. Last season alone, Joseph was named to the mid-season and post-season Eastern League All Star Team and took home the honors of Eastern League MVP and Home Run Derby champion. Joseph finished the season with a batting average of .299 with 22 home runs and 97 RBIs. At Lipscomb, Joseph was a key contributor to Lipscomb’s first Atlantic Sun championship and subsequent NCAA Tournament appearance. In the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, he homered in the Bisons’ upset win over the Georgia Bulldogs. Joseph is the third Bison to have played in the MLB, joining current Colorado Rockies pitcher Rex Brothers and current Colorado Rockies assistant coach Bo McLaughlin. McLaughlin played for the Houston Astros, Atlanta Braves and Oakland Athletics in his MLB career. Joseph’s brother, Corban Joseph, also made a MLB appearance for the New York Yankees in 2013. Photo courtesy of Lipscomb...
Pitching takes backseat to hitting as Bisons defeat Eagles 10-8

Pitching takes backseat to hitting as Bisons defeat Eagles 10-8

The Bisons earned a hard fought victory over Florida Gulf Coast Friday night at Ken Dugan Field. The Bisons faced Florida Gulf Coast’s pitcher Chris Sale, who has been getting much attention from pro scouts after being named MVP of the Cape Cod League. Sale came into the game with a 5-0 record and a 1.41 ERA on the season, however, the Bisons were not intimidated. Senior Tyler Wilson was the early contributor for the Bisons with a single in the bottom of the first. Two batters later he would score on a Cory Hale sac fly that put the Bisons on top early 1-0. In the bottom of the third Wilson continued to lead the Bisons with a solo homerun that put the Bisons up 2-0. In the bottom of the fourth Zach Messer wanted in on some of the action as he homered over the left field fence to increase the Bisons lead to 3-0. Tyler Wilson continued his dominance with another base hit in the bottom of the fifth. He advanced to second base on an errant pitch by Sale, and then scored on a single by his brother Lee Wilson that put the Bisons up 4-0. Cory Hale, who also had a great night at bat going 2 for 3, singled to advance Wilson to third. Zach Messer then hit a triple that brought both Wilson and Hale across the plate. Messer would score on an errant pitch, and the Bisons ended the inning with the score 7-0. However, the Eagles did not come into the game with a 21-12 record for nothing. In the...
Smith gets set for Friday night showdown

Smith gets set for Friday night showdown

Bisons senior pitcher Josh Smith is no stranger to the spotlight, but he may have to share it on Friday night when the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles visit with their major-league pitching prospect Chris Sale. The two teams will open the weekend series Friday night at 6 p.m. at Ken Dugan Field.  Both Smith and Sale are expected to take the mound in what should be a showdown between two future draft choices. Smith, a fifth-year senior from Margate, Fla., has set the tone this season in Lipscomb’s weekend series.  The Bisons ace has tallied a 6-1 record while posting the Atlantic Sun’s fourth-best ERA of 2.98. Typically, when the Bisons right-handed pitcher takes the mound, he garners all of the attention.  However, with the A-Sun’s top pitcher coming to town this weekend, fans should be in for quite a treat. Smith said he looked forward to the opportunity to pitch against Sale. “He is a definite first-round pick,” Smith said. “He is everything you want in a Friday-night guy.  It is definitely going to be a fun day. Being from the same state as some of these guys, I actually played growing up against some of them.  My sister goes to school there, so there is definitely a little something extra in this game.” Smith has thrown three consecutive complete-game victories for the Bisons over the last three Friday nights.  During that span, he struck out 41 batters while giving up only 25 hits.  On the year, Smith leads the A-Sun with 70 strikeouts. The Bisons veteran leader gives all of the credit to his teammates for the success...