NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Interstat) — The Lipscomb Bisons capitalized on a series of Dayton errors and a relentless offensive attack to overcome an early deficit and defeat the Dayton Flyers 11-6 on Friday at Ken Dugan Field at Stephen Lee Marsh Stadium in the season opener for both teams.

The game, which began in the afternoon and concluded in the evening, saw the visiting Flyers strike first with a six-run outburst in the fourth inning but ultimately succumb to a persistent Bisons lineup that scored in five separate innings.

Dayton starter S. Jensen held a 6-2 lead after his offense’s big inning, but control issues and defensive miscues behind him allowed Lipscomb to chip away. The Bisons scored two unearned runs in the first on a single by C. Pruitt, added another on a solo home run by A. Ludeiro in the second, and plated one more on a sacrifice fly in the fourth.

The Flyers’ defense unraveled in the middle innings, directly leading to the Bisons seizing control. The most critical sequence occurred in the bottom of the fifth. With Dayton leading 6-4, a throwing error by third baseman Jason Bello allowed Pruitt to reach second. After a single moved Pruitt to third, he executed a delayed steal of home as teammate Stelogeannis stole second, cutting the lead to one run.

Lipscomb tied the game in the sixth on an RBI single by B. Miller and then exploded for five runs over the seventh and eighth innings to put the game out of reach. The eighth inning was particularly damaging, as the Bisons scored three times, highlighted by a two-run single from pinch-hitter K. Mahan that drove in the final two runs.

The Flyers’ offense was powered by a pair of home runs in their six-run fourth. Tommy Ahlers led off the frame with a solo shot to right field. Later in the inning, after a sacrifice fly from Dyrenson Wouters, designated hitter Colin Lynch launched a three-run homer to left-center, measured at 401 feet with a 110 mph exit velocity. Lynch finished with four RBIs.

Lipscomb’s Pruitt was a constant threat, going 3-for-5 with three RBIs and three runs scored, including two steals. Ludeiro drove in three runs, two via sacrifice flies. The Bisons bullpen, led by relievers A. Jamison, M. Mabrey and K. Kantola, combined for 5 2/3 scoreless innings after starter A. Llinas was chased in the fourth.

Dayton used six pitchers, with reliever L. Rondeau taking the loss. The Flyers committed four errors, leading to five unearned runs.

With the win, Lipscomb begins the season 1-0. Dayton starts 0-1. The teams continue their three-game series on Saturday.

Upcoming Games: Dayton visits Lipscomb again on Saturday and Sunday before hosting Eastern Kentucky for a four-game series starting Feb. 20. Lipscomb hosts Dayton on Saturday and Sunday, then travels to Tennessee Tech on Feb. 17 before a three-game home series against Villanova beginning Feb. 20.