NASHVILLE (Interstat) — Caleb Pica pitched five shutout innings, Jordan Thomas homered and the Lipscomb Bisons edged the Bellarmine Knights 2-1 on Saturday afternoon at Ken Dugan Field at Stephen Lee Marsh Stadium.

The win gave Lipscomb a three-game sweep of the Atlantic Sun series after the Bisons won 6-4 on Friday and 5-4 on Thursday. Bellarmine dropped to 19-30 overall, while Lipscomb improved to 24-23.

Pica allowed six hits, struck out three and did not issue a walk. He lowered his earned-run average after a rough outing against Tennessee Tech on April 28 in which he gave up three earned runs in four innings. Caden Shanks followed with three innings of one-hit relief, striking out four, and Adam Jamison worked the ninth but surrendered the tying run on an RBI single by Bellarmine shortstop Landon Akers.

Akers went 2 for 4 with a run batted in for the Knights. Chase Chamberlain started for Bellarmine and tossed five innings, giving up one earned run on no hits with one strikeout. Cade Rusch threw 2 2/3 scoreless innings of relief, striking out four. Chase Carver and Aaron Ragat each recorded outs without allowing a hit.

The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the second, when Thomas hit a solo home run down the left-field line to put Lipscomb ahead 1-0. The Bisons threatened again in the third when Cam Pruitt doubled to right center, but he was left stranded.

Bellarmine’s best early chance came in the first inning. Akers singled, moved to second on a single by Luke Swader and advanced to third on a fielder’s choice, but was thrown out at home on a relay from shortstop to first baseman to catcher. In the second, the Knights put a runner on base but Watson was caught stealing.

Pica worked out of a jam in the sixth. With Bellarmine runners on second and third and one out, Shanks entered and induced an infield fly, then struck out pinch hitter Acton looking before Pawlowski grounded into a fielder’s choice to end the inning.

Bellarmine tied the game in the top of the ninth. With Jamison on the mound, Pawlowski singled and was replaced by pinch runner Anderson. After a bunt interference call was upheld on a challenge, Hoerger singled and Akers followed with an RBI single through the left side to score Anderson. The Knights loaded the bases on a walk, but Scales fouled out to first base to end the inning with the score 1-1.

In the bottom of the ninth, Lipscomb loaded the bases with a single, a bunt single and a walk. With two outs, a passed ball allowed pinch runner Harper to score from third, giving the Bisons a 2-1 walk-off victory.

Thomas finished 3 for 4 with a home run and an RBI. Pruitt went 1 for 4. For Bellarmine, Watson had two hits and Swader added two singles.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Lipscomb 5, Bellarmine 3, and the Interstat ELO system gave Lipscomb a 71.80 percent probability to win.