Lady Flames earn series victory over NMSU in thrilling back-and-forth group of games

The Flames got to stay home over the weekend as they hosted the New Mexico State Aggies, the second-ranked team in Conference USA. Liberty University entered the series 26-17 on the season and 15-3 in CUSA play.

The series got off to a dramatic start Friday night, seeing four lead changes, five total pitchers used between both sides and multiple home runs hit in key moments from Flames junior right fielder Rachel Roupe. 

Roupe hit game-tying homers in both the seventh and ninth innings before the Lady Flames earned an 8-7 one-run win over New Mexico State with a 10th-inning rally in which senior center fielder Mary Claire Wilson scored the winning run on a passed ball.

“Rachel Roupe is just the heart and the soul of the team,” Liberty Head Coach Dot Richardson said after the game. “Rachel Roupe is just energetic on offense and defense, and she is just a leader like that. She also loves the big moments and loves the big games.” 

Game two, however, saw the Aggies fight back in a big way as they spoiled Liberty’s Senior Day festivities. Nevertheless, the Lady Flames would reminisce on the careers of four seniors on Saturday, as shortstop Raigan Barrett, catcher Sierra Kersten, first baseman Megan Fortner and Wilson will all be graduating.

“I would describe this senior class with the words ‘servant hearts,’” Richardson said. “When I say ‘servant heart,’ I say it in regard to the example of Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate coach and teacher. They love the Lord, and they are strong godly women, and they are ready for what the world is going to offer because they trust the Lord with all their hearts.”

New Mexico State evened up the weekend’s series at one game apiece, earning a 6-2 victory over Liberty at Kamphuis Field. The Aggies’ two-way outfielder and pitcher Desirae Spearman pitched a complete game as she extinguished the Flames’ offense, holding them to four hits and two runs the entire game. Spearman also hit two home runs, a two-run shot in the third and a solo shot in the seventh inning to support her own cause. 

The Lady Flames made it interesting in the bottom of the seventh, as they loaded the bases with only one out. Liberty did capitalize with runners in scoring position when sophomore infielder Brynn McManus grounded into a fielder’s choice, scoring pinch runner Maddy Tuck and Kersten from second and third thanks to an errant throw. Spearman then ended the game, getting junior left fielder KK Madrey to hit a ground ball right back at her for the final out. 

Despite the disappointing setback on Saturday, the Flames still managed to take care of the series with a 4-3 win on Sunday. Junior infielder Brooke Roberts and Kersten were key components of the closing victory, both notching hits in the sixth inning.

Junior right-handed pitcher Elena Escobar got the start on the mound for the Flames on Sunday. In the first inning, Escobar struck out one as the Aggies’ first four hitters in the order couldn’t scratch a run across or collect a hit. In the bottom of the first, the Lady Flames loaded the bases with two outs thanks to three bases on balls in the inning. However, Roberts eventually lined out to left field to end the two-out bases-loaded threat.

The top of the second inning was also a quick one, as Escobar worked around a two-out base hit by sophomore catcher Kendal Lunar to work another scoreless inning. 

“The first four hitters for New Mexico State are very good, and that’s who we focused primarily on,” Roberts said. “We had to own them today in order to win this game, and (Escobar) did that all day long.” 

Escobar pitched a complete game, giving up three runs and striking out four.

The Flames gained a run in the second inning as redshirt freshman catcher Savannah Jessee led off the inning with a double down the left field line. Liberty was then able to capitalize with a runner in scoring position when Wilson singled up the middle, scoring Jessee from second base to take a 1-0 lead.

Both teams’ bats would go quiet for the next two innings as senior pitcher Emily Dix and Escobar kept both lineups in check.

The fifth inning saw some drama, but not in a good way for the Flames. Jessica Carreon led off the inning with a ringing double to left field, and senior utility player Jillian Taylor backed that up with a bunt single to first base. The Aggies now had runners on the corners and nobody out. Moreover, Escobar ended up getting out of the jam, but not before she let up an RBI single to junior infielder Dezianna Patmon and an RBI double to sophomore catcher Devin Elam, making it a 3-1 game.

The Lady Flames rallied in the bottom of the sixth. Fortner hit an infield single to lead things off. After two outs, Roberts tied the game with a two-run home run.

“I thought before the pitch was thrown, ‘A two-run home run would be crazy right now,’” Roberts said. “I also think having a blank mind and not thinking as much helped me put my best swing on that softball.” 

Kersten gave Liberty the lead as junior pinch runner Lilly Heidorn scored the go-ahead run.

With one on and one out in the top of the seventh, New Mexico State’s top hitter in its lineup, Spearman, lined one into left-center field. However, Madrey made a diving catch before throwing to first from her knees for the game-ending double play. 

“KK made a spectacular play, and I’m not even going to say top 10 SportsCenter play; I believe it should be number one, or at least in the top two or three,” Richardson said. “It was amazing, and it’s just an attribute to what she is made of; she is a competitor, a champion, and we needed it.”

Liberty’s record sits at 28-18 overall. The Flames’ 17-4 record in conference play keeps them at the top of CUSA, with their next conference series coming this weekend against the UTEP Miners in El Paso, Texas. 

Clingman is a sports reporter for the Liberty Champion. Follow him on X