BY STEVE KRAH
As Tysen Lipscomb’s baseball career winds downs, the fifth-year senior at Franklin (Ind.) College has plenty of memories to cherish.
The 23-year-old lefty-swinging and righty-throwing left fielder has played in 36 games (all starts) in 2024 and is hitting .397 (54-of-136) with eight home runs, one triple, 14 doubles, 45 runs batted in, 47 runs scored and a 1.214 OPS (.523 on-base percentage plus .691 slugging average).
Lipscomb has been batting in the No. 2 or No. 3 slot in veteran head coach Lance Marshall’s lineup and has 16 multi-hit games with four March 2 vs. Hope College and three on four occasions. He was chosen as NCAA Division III Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Hitter of the Week on March 18.
“It’s definitely been a blast and a blessing,” says Lipscomb of Marshall, who took over leadership of the FC program in August 1997. “He’s going to push you. He’s going to tell you like it is. That’s what I love and his players love about him.
“But he’s always going to bring you aside if you’re struggling a little bit and talking you off the ledge. It’s a ‘this to shall pass’ sort of thing. He can definitely do both things. He’s very knowledgeable about the game. There’s no secret to why he’s won so many games (632 to date). He’s a great coach and he really cares about his players.”
A starter in 157 of 158 career contests, Lipscomb is hitting .354 (214-of-604) with 22 homers, five triples, 53 doubles, 177 RBIs (a school record), 166 runs, 36 stolen bases and a 1.045 OPS (.477/.568).
Lipscomb shared his offensive keys.
“It’s about what I do well,” says Lipscomb. “When I’m at my best I’m hitting the ball to all fields well, especially the opposite way. I focus on that in practice and pre-game.”
“You have to know what kind of pitcher you’re going up against and their game plan against you. I’m always confident when I’m up there.”
Marshall works with Franklin hitters with help from assistant coach Luke Adams. When Lipscomb catches, he collaborates with Grizzlies pitching coach Jake Sprinkle on how to attack opposing hitters.
The 5-foot-9, 185-pounder has been primarily a left fielder with a handful of games at catcher in 2024. He split time between the two positions in 2023. He was mostly in left in 2022 and a designated hitter in 2021. He played in just one game in the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season.
“Being in the outfield is definitely a change-up,” says Lipscomb, who enjoys controlling the game and leading from behind the plate. “You have to adapt in-game (as an outfielder). It’s about working and communicating with the other outfielders about where we’re supposed to be.
“I fly around and give 100 percent effort.”
Pre-game scouting involves knowing wind and sun conditions and the distance to the warning track and fence.
Lipscomb and the ’24 Grizzlies are 18-18 overall and 7-11 in the HCAC heading into regular season-ending conference doubleheaders Friday, May 3 vs. Bluffton (Ohio) University and Sunday, May 5 at Anderson (Ind.) University.
Franklin is fighting for a spot in the six-team HCAC Tournament May 9-12 at Kokomo Municipal Stadium. Hanover and Transylvania are tied for first place at 15-3, followed by Anderson and Rose-Hulman. Franklin and Manchester have the same HCAC record.
Says Lipscomb, “We’re coming down to crunch time.”
During his college years, Lipscomb was with the Nighthawks of the College Summer League at Grand Park in Westfield, Ind., in 2020.
“It was a great experience because it challenged me so much,” says Lipscomb of the CSL’s first season.
He was also with the Southern Collegiate Baseball League’s Carolina Disco Turkeys (Winston-Salem, N.C.) in 2023.
“I’m kind of jealous,” says Lipscomb. “(The Disco Turkeys) are going to become the Yacht Rockers for a game. I wish I could have been a Yacht Rocker.”
Lipscomb has already earned a Exercise Science degree at Franklin and is finishing his course work for an Athletic Training masters degree with internship hours to complete. He could likely have another year of eligibility but plans to enter the work force. He is currently exploring high school athletic training jobs.
Tysen was born in Muncie, Ind., to Gary and Andora Lipscomb and the younger brother of Kylee and was in second grade when the family moved to the Selma, Ind., area. His parents and sister all graduated from Muncie Southside High School.
Gary Lipscomb played baseball. His daughter played softball and golf in high school pursued the latter sport at Indiana University East in Richmond.
As a youngster, Tysen played both Selma youth league and travel ball beginning around 7. He started with the Indiana Longhorns then went to a team formed by his father — the Magic City Orioles. Then came the Indiana Eagles. He got his first taste of competition at the next level by playing in the Fort Wayne-based wood bat circuit (Indiana Collegiate Summer Baseball League) in 2019 after putting his four varsity campaigns graduating from Wapahani High School.
Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Famer Brian Dudley led the Raiders program and is now an assistant to Heath Dudley on a staff that now includes Gary Lipscomb. This year, the Wapahani diamond became Brian J. Dudley Field.
“Brian’s really focused,” says Lipscomb. “He really cares about his players. He wants to see them do well not only inside but outside baseball
“Brian’s one of the hardest workers I’ve ever seen. If he doesn’t know something, he’s going to get that answer and come back and start implementing it. He was one of my biggest role models growing up.”
With Lipscomb on the team, Wapahani won sectional crown in 2017 and 2019, a regional title in 2019, a semistate championship in 2017 and was Class 2A state runners-up in 2017.
“I’m proud to be part of that history,” says Lipscomb. “I loved every minute of it.”
A Cincinnati Reds rooter, Lipscomb’s favorite current MLB player in Philadelphia Phillies slugger Bryce Harper.
“I like the passion he plays with,” says Harper. “I like the way he’s grown in the game. He’s definitely a lot more mature and a leader.
“His swing is my favorite in the game because it’s the closest to mine that I’ve seen. I try to do a lot of the things that he does.”
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