Liberty softball swept Louisiana Tech in a series of two teams that entered the week tied atop the conference standings. The  Lady Flames are now alone in first place with a 10-2 conference record and are 20-14 overall.

TUESDAY: VIRGINIA 3, LIBERTY 1

Virginia scored twice in the first inning and escaped three separate bases-loaded situations to pick up the win over Liberty in Lynchburg.

With Virginia leading 2-1, the Lady Flames had two on and one out in the bottom of the second. Eden Bigham entered the circle in relief for the Cavaliers and she walked Rachel Roupe to load the bases. However, she retired the next two batters to get out of the jam. Liberty also left the bases loaded in the third and fifth innings.

Elena Escobar, pitching for the first time since March 10, allowed three runs on three hits while striking out six and walking one in five innings. Kaylan Yoder tossed two hitless innings.

THURSDAY: LIBERTY 2, LOUISIANA TECH 0

Liberty freshman Kaylan Yoder tossed a one-hitter, picking up the win as the Flames shutout Louisiana Tech on Thursday at Liberty Softball Stadium. The two teams entered the series tied atop the Conference USA standings.

Yoder allowed just three baserunners in the game and faced two batters over the minimum. The Lady Flames manufactured the game’s only two runs in the second inning. Megan Fortner singled before moving to second on a wild pitch. KK Madrey then hit an RBI single and stole second. Madrey raced all the way home from second on JaMaya Byrum’s sacrifice bunt.

The one-hit shutout was Yoder’s third shutout of the season. She struck out eight and walked one. Yoder has pitched the series opener in each of Liberty’s four CUSA series. In those four games, she has a 4-0 record with three shutouts and a 0.25 ERA.

Fortner was 2 for 3 with one run scored while Madrey went 1 for 3 with one RBI and a run scored.

FRIDAY: LIBERTY 3, LOUISIANA TECH 0

Liberty clinched the series victory with a shutout win on Friday.

In the third inning, the Lady Flames got all the scoring they would need. Loading the bases with two outs,  Louisiana Tech starter Brook MeInychuk issued bases loaded walks to both Brynn McManus and KK Madrey, putting Liberty ahead 2-0. Liberty added an insurance run in the fifth, as Mary Claire Wilson led off with a triple before being drive in by Sierra Kersten’s single.

For the second day in a row, Louisiana Tech did not get a runner past second base. Katie Love pitched a three hit shutout, her second shutout of the year. She struck out six and walked one. Prior to this week, Louisiana Tech had only been shut out once this season in a game March 3 against  LSU.

Raigan Barrett went 2 for 3 with a double and one run scored for the Lady Flames while KK Madrey was 1 for 1 with two walks and one RBI.

SATURDAY: LIBERTY 2, LOUISIANA TECH 0

Liberty completed the three game series sweep of Louisiana Tech, allowing zero runs in all three contests.

The Lady Flames manufactured a run in the bottom of the second. KK Madrey bunted for a hit and Brooke Roberts followed with a single. Savannah Jessee’s sacrifice bunt sent runners to second and third before Rachel Craine broke the ice with an RBI single to left. Liberty added one run in the sixth, as Sierra Kersten doubled to center. Pinch runner Aubry Norris advanced to third on a foul out before scoring on a sacrifice fly by Madrey.

Kaylan Yoder pitched her second shutout of the series and fourth on the season, al lowing just two hits and one walk. She struck out eight. For the weekend, she went 2-0 with two shutouts, three hits allowed, 16 strikeouts and two walks in 14 innings pitched.

Madrey was 2 for 2 with one RBI, one run scored and a sac fly. Rachel Craine batted 1 for 2 with one RBI while Sierra Kersten went 1 for 2 with a double.

ON TAP

Liberty heads to Blacksburg to take on Virginia Tech on Wednesday at 6 p.m. The Hokies were ranked as high as No. 10 in the national polls this past week. The Lady Flames will then play at Western Kentucky for a three game series beginning Friday at 6 p.m. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday and at noon on Sunday.

Current CUSA Standings

Liberty…………………10-2, 20-14
Western Kentucky…9-3, 23-10-1
NMSU…………………..6-3, 20-13
Louisiana Tech……7-5, 23-9
Middle Tenn………….5-7, 17-21
Jax State……………..4-5, 14-21
FIU………………………..2-7, 14-20
Sam Houston……….1-11, 12-23