Box Score (PDF)

Spartanburg, S.C. – Ian Martinez-McGraw pitched six shutout innings to lead Lipscomb to an 11-0 victory over USC Upstate in game one of a three-game series from Harley Park.

McGraw improved to 4-1 after scattering six hits and striking out three. Jacob Knott pitched the final three innings and didn't allow a hit in picking up his fifth save of the season.

Upstate starter Eric Birklund took the loss after giving up three runs on six hits while striking out a career-high five batters in 4.1 innings of work.

Lipscomb (17-10, 6-1) used a two-out RBI single from left fielder Tyson Ashcraft in the top of the first inning to grab an early lead. Shortstop Grant Massey drew a one-out walk, stole second base and came around two score two batters later on Ashcraft's 20th RBI of the season.

The Bisons tacked on two more runs in the fifth inning on RBI singles from Jonathan Allison and Drew Adams to build a 3-0 lead. Second baseman Mike Korte led off the inning with a single through the right side and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from catcher Nike Rome. Allison followed with a base hit to left field to bring in Korte from second. Allison would later advance to second on a balk and score the final run of the inning on Adams' single.

Massey added an RBI single in the seventh inning, and Allison scored on a wild pitch later in the inning to put the Bisons ahead 5-0. Lipscomb would go on to plate six more runs in the eighth inning.

Upstate senior right fielder Tyler Lesch and second baseman Daniel Seeba each had two hits.

Upstate and Lipscomb will be back in action Saturday at 2 p.m. for game two.

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