NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Lipscomb scored four runs in three straight innings in defeating the Bellarmine University baseball team 17-4 in ASUN play Friday night at Dugan Field.

Lipscomb (27-18, 14-8 ASUN) smacked four home runs and four doubles among its 18 hits against Bellarmine (10-34, 7-15). The Bisons posted four runs apiece in the third, fourth and fifth innings while building a big lead early in the series opener.

Sophomore first baseman Davis Crane cranked his fourth home run of the season for Bellarmine, a three-run shot in the sixth inning. Senior left fielder Matt Higgins was hit by a pitch and sophomore catcher Ashton Smith singled to set up Crane.

Higgins added a sacrifice fly in the ninth for Bellarmine's final run. Senior center fielder Jack Ockerman collected two of the Knights' six hits as Lipscomb's Michael Dunkelberger improved to 7-2 after tossing 8.0 strong innings.

The teams will meet in the second of the three-game series at 7 p.m. (ET) Saturday.

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