NASHVILLE – Brooke Mann hit a three-run home run in the top of the seventh to pull Indiana State within two but the Sycamores could not complete the rally in a 6-4 loss at Lipscomb Sunday.
 
The home run – the eighth of Mann's career to place her tied for ninth all-time at Indiana State – gave the Sycamores (9-6) a chance against the host Bison (11-4) in the final game of the Purple and Gold Challenge.
 
But Lipscomb (11-4) relieved starting pitcher Mandy Jordan (7-0) at that point with one out and Megan Gray (1) took the circle, closing out the game for her first save of the year.
 
Indiana State's other run in the game came off a Shaye Barton solo home run to left center in the fifth inning.
 
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Brooke Mann gets the nod for this honor as her home run not only kept the Sycamores alive and gave them a chance but also moved her into the school's top-10 charts for career home runs.
 
STAT OF THE GAME
The Sycamores did not allow a single extra-base hit in the game. This marks the third game this season that Indiana State has not allowed an extra-base hit.
 
PITCHERS OF RECORD

• Win: Mandy Jordan, Lipscomb (7-0)
• Loss: Arielle Blankenship, Indiana State (4-2)
• Save: Megan Gray, Lipscomb (1)

 
RECORDS UPDATE

• Indiana State: 9-6 (1-3 Away)
• Lipscomb: 11-4 (2-2 Home)

 
NOTABLES

• Brooke Mann moved into a tie for ninth all-time at Indiana State in career home runs with her eighth blast. She's matched the eight home runs by Jessica McGivney (2004-07) and Stephanie Jonson (2008-11).
• Indiana State is now 4-4 all-time against Lipscomb in a series that dates back to 2002. The Bison have now won three straight in the series.
• Leslie Sims extended her reached base streak to 11 games, a mark that leads the Sycamores.

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