Brooke Roberts hit a game-winning walk-off two-run double in the bottom of the 7th inning on Tuesday night, giving No. 21 Liberty a come from behind, 4-3, win over Virginia at Liberty Softball Stadium. With the win, the Lady Flames improve to 34-8 on the e season while Virginia falls to 27-13.
The Cavaliers tied the game at 2 on a two-out RBI single by Kelsey Hackett in the top of the 6th inning. Virginia then went ahead in the top of the 7th when Jade Hylton went deep for a go-ahead solo home run.
With one out in the bottom of the 7th, the Lady Flames were down to their final two outs. Virginia pitcher Eden Bigham hit Rachel Roupe and pinch hitter Alyssa Henault leading way for Roberts’ heroics. She lashed a double into the left-center gap, scoring pinch runner Aubry Norris and Henault with the tying and winning runs.
Paige Bachman earned the win in relief, improving to 8-1 on the season. She allowed one hit and walked one in one innings. Starter Elena Escobar allowed three runs on six hits, walking three and striking out eight in six innings pitched. Meanwhile, Bigham drew the loss, giving up three runs, two of them earned, on four hits, with three walks, two hit batters, and one strikeout in 4.1 innings of relief.
Roberts was 2 for 4 on the day with the two RBI and one run scored. Savannah Woodard batted 2 for 4, extending her hitting streak to a career-best 11 games. Rachel Craine was 1 for 1 with a home run, sacrifice fly, two RBI and one run scored.
The Lady Flames have now won two straight against Virginia, but the Cavaliers lead the all-time series, 49-28. Tuesday’s win marks the second walk-off win for Liberty this season as Savanah Whatley had a walk-off single which ended the season opener against Radford. Roberts becomes the 7th current Lady Flame with at least one career game-winning walk-off RBI, joining Whatley, Rachel Craine, Alyssa Henault, Savannah Jessee, Rachel Roupe, and Sasvannah Woodard.
Liberty now turns its attention back to conference play and will travel to Las Cruces, New Mexico for a three-game CUSA series, Friday through Sunday at New Mexico State. The Lady Flames currently sit in first place atop the league standings with a 13-1 CUSA record. The Aggies are currently tied for 4th at 8-7 in conference play and 21-17 overall.
