Liberty softball bounced back from two straight losses including its first CUSA loss this season. The Lady Flames are now 33 -8 on the season and 13-1 in conference play. Liberty has won all 13 CUSA series since joining the conference last year, including seven series sweeps and six 2-1 series victories. Liberty is now 18-2 at home with just seven home games remaining.

WEDNESDAY: #11 VIRGINIA TECH 6, #20 LIBERTY 0

The Hokies ran their winning streak to 10 games while the Lady Flames saw an 8 game win streak snapped. Virginia Tech secures the 2-0 series sweep against Liberty this season, with Emma Lemley tossing a no-hitter in the first meeting in Lynchburg on Feb. 26 and then a three-hitter in the win Wednesday. Lemley and the Hokies are the only team to shut out Liberty this season, doing so twice.

Liberty opened the game by loading the bases with just one out in the top of the first on a Savannah Woodard double and walks to Rachel Roupe and Brynn McManus. Lemley was able to keep the Lady Flames off the scoreboard with a strikeout and groundout. To lead off the bottom of the first, Cori McMillan homered before an RBI single made it 2-0 at the end of 1. The Hokies added three in the 3rd and one in the 5th while Lemley pitched seven shutout innings. Liberty left nine runners on base during the game.

Elena Escobar drew the loss, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out two in one inning. Paige Bachman allowed four runs on five hits, walking three and striking out two in three innings. Kaylan Yoder pitched two innings of one-hit relief, allowing one walk and striking out three. Woodard, Paige Doerr, and Savannah Jessee each recorded a hit for the Flames.

FRIDAY: MTSU 8, #20 LIBERTY 2

After beginning the season a perfect 11-0 in conference play by sweeping the first four weekend series against CUSA foes, Middle Tennessee came into Liberty Softball Stadium and knocked off the Lady Flames on Friday. The Blue Raiders picked up their fifth straight win while snapping Liberty’s 11-game conference winning streak and 12-game home winning streak. The 11-0 start in conference play was tied wi th the 2013 Tulsa team for the best undefeated start in CUSA history.

The Blue Raiders jumped ahead with a three-run homer off the bat of Jana Want in the third inning. Want went deep again with another three=run blast in the sixth as MTSU took a commanding 8-0 lead. The Flames would rally for two runs int he 6th and then loaded the bases in the bottom of the 6th. Alexia Carrasquillo sent a flare into right-center field that seemed to be headed for a hit and potentially knocking in multiple runs, but it was caught on a nice diving play by center fielder Lexi Medlock.

Kaylan Yoder sustained the loss, allowing five runs on three hits while walking four and striking out five in 2.2 innings before giving away to Paige Bachman. Tyler Oubre pitched 1.1 innings of no-hit relief. Want was 2 for 4 with two homers, two runs, and a Liberty Stadium record-tying six RBI. Roupe went 2 for 3 with two doubles and one RBI while Brynn McManus and Alyssa Henault both doubled.

SATURDAY GAME 1: #20 LIBERTY 8, MTSU 4

The Lady Flames took control of the game with a four-run third inning, gaining the lead at 5-1. Liberty would nearly run-rule the Blue Raiders, leading 8-1 after five. Middle Tennessee wouldn’t let that happen, rallying to within four but unable to get any closer.

Elena Escobar picked up the win to improve to 14-3 on the season. She allowed four runs on four hits while walking four and striking out a career high 13 batters. That mark were the most by a Lady Flame since current Liberty assistant coach Emily Kirby struck out 13 in an NCAA Regional win over No. 19 Georgia, May 20, 2022. It also tied the Liberty Softball Stadium record for most strikeouts by a Lady Flame, set by Julia DiMartino on March 12, 2016 against Sacred Heart.

Paige Doerr went 2 for 3 with 2 RBI while KK Madrey batted 2 for 2 with two steals and two runs scored. Savannah Woodard led off the bottom of the first for the Lady Flames with a home run, she went on to score twice in the game. Rachel Roupe also doubled while Rachel Crained knocked in two.

SATURDAY GAME 2: #20 LIBERTY 5, MTSU 4

Liberty took an early 4-0 lead following Brynn McManus’ solo homer in the third. The Blue Raiders scored once in the 5th before getting the first two batters on base in the 6th. Elena Escobar came on in relief of Paige Bachman but would give up a game-tying pinch hit homer to Anyce Harvey. The Lady Flames put together three straight singles to open the bottom of the 6th, as Paige Doerr and Brooke Roberts’ base hits were followed by an RBI single from Savannah Jessee which proved to be the game winner.

Escobar earned her 15th win of the season, this one coming in relief. She allowed one run on one hit while striking out three in two innings. Bachman allowed three runs on five hits in five innings, walking two and fanning seven. Jessee was 3 for 3 with one RBI and one run scored while Brooke Roberts batted 2 for 3 and scored once. Brynn McManus was 2 for 4 with a homer, while Rachel Roupe hit her 15th double of the season and Savannah Woodard drove in a  pair.

ON TAP

Liberty will host Virginia on Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. at Liberty Softball Stadium. It is the first of two meetings between the Lady Flames and Cavaliers this season, as the two will also play in Charlottesville on April 30. Liberty will then travel west to take on New Mexico State for a three-game series which is slated to begin Friday at 8 p.m. ET.

CUSA STANDINGS

Liberty……………….13-1, 33-8
FIU……………………..9-6, 27-13
LA Tech……………..10-5, 23-15
NMSU……………….8-7, 21-17
Sam Houston…..8-7, 20-21
Jax State……………7-8, 24-16
MTSU………………..7-8, 18-21
WKU………………….6-8, 20-16
UTEP…………………5-10, 15-19
Kennesaw………..1-14, 10-29