Friday, March 12, 2010

It was the classic case of better late than never as the Lipscomb Bisons scored five runs in the eighth and three runs in the ninth to beat Illinois Friday in the first round of the Caravelle Resort Classic hosted by Coastal Carolina.

It was the second win in a row for the Bisons who were out-hit 10-9 at Watson Stadium in Conway, S.C.

Senior right-hander Josh Smith pitched 8.1 innings for the Bisons to pick up the win, his second in three decisions this season. Smith gave up nine hits and six runs, five of them earned. He walked three and struck out three.

Chad Fromm closed out the game pitching the final two-thirds. He allowed one hit. He earned his second save of the season.

Illinois led for most of the game scoring two runs in the third and one run in the sixth. Forced to play catch-up after the Bisons scored five in the eighth, Illinois added one run in the eighth and two in the ninth.