Liberty softball posted a 2-3 record at last weekend’s tournament, hosted by Oklahoma to showcase its brand new Love’s Field. The Lady Flames are now 9-10 on the season and will begin conference play this weekend.

In addition to playing No. 1 Oklahoma twice on the weekend, Liberty also defeated Tulsa and split a pair against Louisiana. The Ragin’ Cajuns were listed among others receiving votes in both the NFCA and USA Softball national polls last week.

FRIDAY GAME 1: LIBERTY 10, TULSA 6

Liberty defeated Tulsa, 10-6, on Friday afternoon to begin the Oklahoma Tournament.

Liberty scored in five out of its six innings at bat, building an 8-1 lead after a three-run fifth. Tulsa battled back by scoring five times in the top of the sixth. Katie Love came on with two on and two out with an 8-6 lead and pitched a four-out save.

Elena Escobar (4-0) earned the win, allowing four runs on nine hits, walking two and striking out two in five innings pitched. Tyler Oubre allowed two runs in 2.2 innings. Love earned her first career save, yielding one hit in a scoreless 1.1 innings.

Rachel Roupe went 3 for 4 with two homers, three RBI and three runs scored, her second straight two home run game. Sierra Kersten batted 2 for 3 with a home run, four RBI and one run scored.

Liberty defeated Tulsa 10-6 at Marita Hynes on Friday afternoon, before falling to No. 1 Oklahoma, 8-0 in five innings at brand-new Love’s Field, Friday night.

FRIDAY GAME 2: OKLAHOMA 8, LIBERTY 0 (5 INNINGS)

The Lady Flames saw their winning streak snapped at six games while the three-time defending national champion Oklahoma extended its NCAA Division I record winning streak to 69 games on its first day at the new 4,200 seat Love’s Field.

Kaylan Yoder held the high scoring Sooneres to one run on one hit through three innings. Oklahoma broke the game open with a five run fourth inning during which Paige Bachman and Tyler Oubre pitched in relief.

Oklahoma is now 5-0 all-time against Liberty in softball. The Sooners edged the Lady Flames, 1-0, in eight innings in Irvine, California in last year’s season opener. Oklahoma’s last loss was Feb. 19, 2023 at Baylor.

SATURDAY GAME 1: OKLAHOMA 15, LIBERTY 3 (5 INNINGS)

After escaping a bases loaded nobody out jam without allowing a run in the first, Oklahoma put up five runs in the second and tacked on seven in the third. Oklahoma outhit Liberty, 17-4, for the game.

Katie Love drew the loss, allowing five runs, four earned, on seven hits while walking two in 1.2 innings. She gave way to Elena Escobar (one inning), Tyler Oubre (0.1 inning), and Paige Bachman (one inning). Five different  players recorded hits for Liberty, highlighted by a two-run homer from Megan Fortner and a solo shot by JaMaya Byrum.

SATURDAY GAME 2: LOUISIANA 1, LIBERTY 0

Louisiana broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the sixth. With one out, Louisiana doubled to right center. A wild pitch sent the runner to third. A sacrifice fly to right field was deep enough to score the run and give the Ragin’ Cajuns the lead.

Both teams managed just two hits in the first meeting between the two teams. Kaylan Yoder drew the loss, yielding one run on two hits while fanning four. Savannah Jessee and Megan Fortner both singled for the Lady Flames.

Liberty, Louisiana, and Oklahoma are three out of six NCAA Division I softball teams who have won 40 or more games every full season since 2017.

SUNDAY: LIBERTY 7, LOUISIANA 1

The Lady Flames closed out their time in Norman Oklahoma with a 7-1 win over Louisiana.

Liberty built a 5-1 lead following Megan Fortner’s solo  homer in the fifth. Louisiana then loaded the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the sixth. Kaylan Yoder came on in relief of starter Katie Love, getting a double play and a strikeout to keep the Ragin’ Cajuns off the board.

Love earned her first collegiate win, allowing one run on four hits while walking four and striking out four in five innings. Yoder nailed down her second save of the season, tossing two hitless innings while allowing two walks and striking out one.

Rachel Roupe was 3 for 4 with three doubles and two RBI while Mary Claire Wilson went 2 for 3 with a double and a run scored. Megan Fortner was 2 for 3 with her home run.

ON TAP

Liberty opens conference play with its first ever CUSA series this coming weekend at FIU. The Lady Flames take on the Panthers for three games this weekend beginning Friday at 6 p.m. The Flames then play host to Duke on Tuesday at 4 p.m.