NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Lipscomb clinched the series Saturday night with an 8-1 victory over the Bellarmine University baseball team in ASUN play at Dugan Field.

Collin Witzke earned his third win of the season and pitched 5.0 innings for Lipscomb (28-18, 15-8 ASUN), while three relievers combined for 4.0 scoreless innings to close out Bellarmine (10-35, 7-16).

Nolan Pender had a solid start for the Knights, allowing three earned runs on eight hits with five strikeouts in 6.0 innings pitched. The junior righthander compiled at least 6.0 innings pitched in seven of his eight conference starts.

Bellarmine scored its lone run in the fifth inning. Senior shortstop Clayton Mehlbauer led off with a single, and senior center fielder Jack Ockerman had a bunt single before junior catcher Gabe Bratetic drove in Mehlbauer on a ground out.

Senior left fielder Matt Higgins notched two of Bellarmine's six hits, including a double. Lipscomb had 10 hits and built a 4-0 lead after four innings before adding a three-run eighth.

The series finale will unfold at 2 p.m. (ET) Sunday.  

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