NASHVILLE (Interstat) — Tennessee Tech scored seven runs in the first inning and rolled to a 15-5 victory over Lipscomb on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at Ken Dugan Field at Stephen Lee Marsh Stadium.

The Golden Eagles improved to 16-30 overall, while the Bisons fell to 19-22.

Tennessee Tech sent 12 batters to the plate in the top of the first, capitalizing on five hits, two hit-by-pitches and a walk. Center fielder Landon Smelser started the outburst with a single up the middle. After designated hitter Jorsixt Jimenez was hit by a pitch, designated hitter Nick Lee singled to left center to drive in Smelser. Third baseman Ethan Garza followed with an RBI single to center, scoring Jimenez. Right fielder Reed Rooker dropped a bunt single to load the bases. Catcher Grant Denton was hit by a pitch to force in Lee. After a lineout, third baseman Cade Fuller singled to center for two runs, scoring Rooker and Garza. First baseman Will Bragga walked to reload the bases, and after a pitching change, Smelser reached on a fielder’s choice that brought home Denton. The Bisons got out of the inning when Jimenez flied to center, but the damage was done.

Lipscomb answered with a run in the bottom of the first. Designated hitter Caden Pruitt walked, and shortstop Kaden Holm doubled to right center to score Pruitt. The Bisons added another run in the second when center fielder Kenealy Jr singled, advanced on a double by designated hitter Cole Pippenger and scored on a fielder’s choice.

Tennessee Tech starter Carson Davis pitched 1.1 innings, allowing two earned runs on three hits with three strikeouts before giving way to Braxton Lewis. Lewis, named the top star for the Golden Eagles, worked 4.2 innings and allowed three earned runs on zero hits – a statline that included two strikeouts. He benefited from the big early lead and escaped jams despite walking several batters. Lewis surrendered a two-run home run to Pippenger in the fourth inning, a 334-foot shot with an exit velocity of 101 mph and a launch angle of 21 degrees, that pulled Lipscomb within 7-4. The Bisons added a run in the fifth on a sacrifice fly by Pruitt after a triple by third baseman Jacob Thomas.

Tennessee Tech restored its cushion with a four-run fifth inning. Rooker walked, stole second, then scored on an error by the second baseman. Smelser walked with the bases loaded to force in another run, Jimenez walked to force in a third, and Lee hit a sacrifice fly. Garza reached on a third-base error that scored two unearned runs. The Golden Eagles tacked on three more in the sixth on an RBI single by Smelser, an RBI single by Jimenez and a passed ball that scored Smelser.

Smelser finished 2 for 4 with three RBIs. Jimenez went 2 for 3 with two RBIs. Fuller was 1 for 2 with two RBIs. For Lipscomb, Pippenger went 2 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs.

Relievers Lawson Stricklin, Brock Puckett and Mack Mabrey each threw scoreless innings for their respective teams. Stricklin tossed a perfect seventh for Tennessee Tech. Puckett and Mabrey combined for 1.1 shutout innings for Lipscomb. Caleb Pica started for the Bisons and took the loss, allowing four hits and three earned runs over four innings with four strikeouts.

The game was the second meeting this season between the two in-state programs; Tennessee Tech also won the Feb. 17 matchup 7-5 in Cookeville.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Lipscomb 5, Tennessee Tech 4, and the Interstat ELO system gave Lipscomb a 57.80 percent probability to win.