Liberty continued its perfect start to league play, getting a sweep of FGCU in Fort Myers this past weekend. The Lady Flames improved to 31-13 overall and an unblemished 15-0 mark in ASUN play with just three conference series remaining in the regular season. Liberty has won 17 out of their last 18 games.

FRIDAY GAME 1: LIBERTY 6, FGCU 2

FGCU built a 2-0 lead, scoring in the first and the third. After Karlie Keeney started the game, McKenzie Wagoner entered the circle and did not allow a run the rest of the way. It allowed the Lady Flames’ offense to catch up and overtake the Eagles for the win.

Trailing by two in the top of the fifth inning, Devyn Howard had a leadoff single, sparking a stretch of six straight batters reaching base. Caroline Hudson belted a two-run homer to tie the game, followed later in the inning by a bases-loaded, two-run single from Kara Canetto which propelled Liberty into the lead.

FRIDAY GAME 2: LIBERTY 5, FGCU 0

The game remained scoreless through the first three innings. That changed in the firth when Liberty scratched first. The first three batters reached safely in the frame, with Lou Allan hitting an RBI double. Later in the inning, Mary Claire Wilson made it 3-0 with a bases-laded, two-run single. Caroline Hudson added a two-run homer in the fifth for the 5-0 margin.

SATURDAY: LIBERTY 3, FGCU 1

The first five Liberty batters reached to start the game, with Lou Allan’s two-run single giving the Flames’ the 2-0 lead. The Eagles would escape without any further damage as Liberty left the bases loaded. The score would remain the same until the seventh when Devyn Howard hit a solo home run.

FGCU threatened in the bottom of the seventh, getting a leadoff double and an infield single. Emily Kirby entered the circle in relief of McKenzie Wagoner, allowing a run on a wild pitch before securing the victory for the Lady Flames.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: LOU ALLAN

Allan picked up a hit in all three games against FGCU, as she finished the three-game series with a .600 batting average to go along with one run scored and three RBIs. For the season, Allan is second on the team with a .331 batting average as she has 6 home runs, 7 doubles, and 28 RBIs.

PITCHER OF THE WEEK: EMILY KIRBY

The reigning ASUN pitcher of the year, Emily Kirby, continues to pitch well for the Lady Flames. In the second game of the doubleheader against FGCU on Saturday, she nearly pitched a perfect game. Kirby had a complete game shutout, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out nine on 101 pitches to pick up the win. She also preserved on Sunday, coming in to record the final two outs.

For the season, Kirby has a 7-4 record with a 2.26 ERA with 84 strikeouts and 37 walks surrendered in 68 innings pitched.

ON TAP

Liberty returns home for its next five games, beginning on Wednesday at 5 p.m. against No. 9 Duke. The Lady Flames will then host Jacksonville for Senior Weekend, with a doubleheader scheduled for Saturday and the series finale on Sunday.

ASUN STANDINGS

East
Liberty……………………….15-0, 31-13
North Florida…………….14-4, 35-11
Stetson……………………..8-7, 19-25
Jacksonville………………8-7, 14-23
FGCU…………………………6-12, 13-28
Kennesaw State…………4-11, 12-25

West
Central Arkansas………10-5, 25-15
North Alabama………….9-6, 30-11
Jacksonville State…….9-6, 25-16
Lipscomb………………….6-9, 16-25
Eastern Kentucky………3-12, 7-31
Bellarmine…………………1-14, 10-32