Sunday, March 22, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Lipscomb right-hander Josh Smith may be the most under-rated pitcher in the Atlantic Sun.

Smith, pitching his typical Sunday assignment, struck out 11 batters in 7.1 innings and gave up five hits, one walk and one run, in a 3-1 win against Stetson at Ken Dugan Field at Stephen L. Marsh Stadium. The only run was off of a solo home run to Casey Frawley to right field in the first inning.

The Bisons swept the three-game Atlantic Sun series, their second home conference sweep in a row. They managed only three hits, but they were both home runs. Antonio Butler hit a solo shot to left center with two outs in the third inning. Justin Sanders slammed a two-run shot down the left field line in the fourth.

“Sweeps are hard to come by,” said Bisons coach Jeff Forehand. “Our guys understand that each weekend it is a different game. We respect all the opponents in the conference.”

Smith’s 11 strikeouts was one short of his career high of 12 set May 16 last season in a complete game 6-1 win at Campbell. Smith ran his record to 3-0.