Liberty softball went 1-2 in their contests at THE Spring Games this past weekend in Leesburg, Florida. Weather significantly impacted the field of play in Leesburg over the weekend with Liberty’s games on Saturday and Sunday being canceled. Now, the Lady Flames return to Lynchburg and will have their home opener on Friday.
THURSDAY: LIBERTY 2, COASTAL CAROLINA 1
Liberty got back on the winning track, scoring twice in the fourth inning to earn a 2-1 come from behind win over Coastal Carolina on Thursday to open THE Spring Games in Leesburg, Florida. With the win, Liberty snapped a five-game losing streak and improved to 2-5 on the season. Meanwhile, the Chanticleers sustained their first setback of the season, falling to 4-1.
With one out in the bottom of the fourth, Sierra Kersten singled and Hailey Deter doubled. Rachel Craine then drove in a run with a game tying single. KK Madrey’s RBI ground out would give the Flames the lead. Elena Escobar rolled through the middle innings before giving up back to back two out singles. Kaylan Yoder entered the circle in relief of Escobar. Liberty catcher Sierra Kersten caught a Coastal Carolina runner trying to steal third to end the game.
FRIDAY GAME 1: ILLINOIS 5, LIBERTY 1
Illinois jumped ahead with a two-run fourth inning to take a 3-1 lead. The Illini tacked on two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth and were able to cruise to the 5-1 win in the late innings. Liberty left seven runners on base in the contest. Tyler Oubre drew the loss, allowing three runs on four hits while walking one in 3.1 innings. Elena Escobar allowed two runs, one earned, on four hits while striking out three in 2.2 innings of relief. Brooke Roberts went 2 for 2 and was hit by a pitch while Mary Claire Wilson was 2 for 4 with one run scored. Sierra Kersten doubled and drove in Liberty’s lone run.
FRIDAY GAME 2: IOWA 4, LIBERTY 2
Iowa added two insurance runs in the top of the fifth, both coming with two outs. Liberty trailed 2-0 in the first inning before adding a run in the bottom half of the inning after Kersten knocked in Wilson with an RBI ground out. With Liberty trailing 4-2 in the bottom of the 7th, Megan Fortner drew a one out walk. With two outs, Savannah Jessee hit a high drive to left center which was caught just in front of the fence. Kaylan Yoder drew the loss, surrendering two runs on four hits while walking one in one-third of an inning as the starter. Elena Escobar gave up two runs, one earned, on seven hits with two walks and three strikeouts in 6.2 innings of relief.
Games on Saturday and Sunday at THE Spring Games against Penn State and Ohio State were canceled due to weather.
ON TAP
Liberty now returns home to Lynchburg, Virginia to compete in the Liberty Softball Classic on their home field. On Friday, the Flames are scheduled to host Saint Francis at noon and Penn State at 2:30 p.m. On Saturday, Liberty will play Saint Francis (noon) and Penn (2:30) and conclude the weekend against Penn State on Sunday (2:30).
