Friday, May 14, 2010

DeLAND, Fla. – No. 1 Lipscomb returns for more action of the Atlantic Sun Softball Championships this afternoon as the Lady Bisons recorded their 28th shutout on the season with an 8-0 victory, eliminating third-seeded Kennesaw State.

Four home runs by Kellie Sirus, Christen Campbell, Mollie Mitchell and Abby Keese sparked Lipscomb's offense. Campbell, a senior from Bartlett, Tenn., knocked off a long ball into the foul line bleachers, giving the Lady Bisons an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning. Keese followed up that performance with a long ball into center field to provide a 2-0 cushion for Lipscomb.

The Lady Bisons saw their next home run performance from Mitchell, as the sophomore catcher from Suwanee, Ga. drove her long ball straight over center field. Just minutes before a NASA shuttle launch was visible above Patricia Wilson Field, Sirus launched her own three RBI shuttle to left field to bring in Mackenzie Tucker and Lauren Dortwegt and close out the scoring for Lipscomb in the top of the seventh.

In the circle for Lipscomb, Whitney Kiihnl (30-3) scattered six hits and allowed no runs or walks in six innings. The sophomore from Batesville, Miss. also recorded her 14th double-digit strikeout effort of the season and third of the tournament.

Ashlee Burkett recorded a spectacular performace at the plate for the Owls, as the freshman collected two hits in three at bats. Abby Meixel (10-11) took the loss for Kennesaw State, surrendering four runs (three earned) on eight hits in five innings of work.

Lipscomb will play Stetson at 6 p.m. tonight for a chance to advance to Championship Saturday.

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The Atlantic Sun Conference is an 11-member league committed to Building Winners for Life. The A-Sun stands for achievement with integrity in both the academic and athletic arenas, with a focus on the balance between the two for our student-athletes. Headquartered in Macon, Ga., the A-Sun boasts six of the top eight media markets in the Southeast. The A-Sun includes a blend of the most prestigious and dynamic private and public institutions in the region: Belmont University, Campbell University, East Tennessee State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Jacksonville University, Kennesaw State University, Lipscomb University, Mercer University, University of North Florida, University of South Carolina Upstate and Stetson University.