The Lady Flames Softball team secured a 2-1 series victory against the University of Delaware at Kamphuis Field, March 27–29, winning the first game 7-4, falling in the second 3-12, winning the third 9-6.
Liberty took an early lead during the first game, scoring in the second and third innings. In the bottom of the second, redshirt senior infielder Savanah Whatley singled to left field and advanced to second on the throw. Freshman utility player Dani Lee made it to third and redshirt freshman infielder Maci Strickland reached home for the first run of the game.
With runners on second and third, sophomore utility player Ella Fox stepped up to the plate and singled to the infield. A throwing error allowed Whatley and Lee to score, extending the lead 3-0.
In the bottom of the third, senior infielder Brooke Roberts hit an RBI single to bring Strickland home again. Liberty led 4-0 to close out the inning.
Delaware gained momentum at the top of the fourth with four runs to tie up the game 4-4.
In the bottom of the fifth, Delaware was halted by a two-run home run to center field from junior outfielder Paige Doerr, with senior infielder Brynn McManus also scoring on the play.
“So that was my goal for my third at bat, just to swing with conviction,” Doerr said. “Just go for it, and so that was basically the result, which felt good.”
Roberts brought Lee in after smashing an RBI double to left center, bringing the score to 7-4. A strong defense from the Lady Flames kept Delaware scoreless for the rest of the match and gave them the first victory of the weekend.
Liberty had a slower start in the second game of the series. Delaware scored three runs in the first inning, two of which were home runs.
Both teams were unable to score after the first inning until Liberty broke the trend in the bottom of the fourth. An RBI double from Strickland brought senior utility player Aubry Norris home, narrowing Delaware’s lead 3-1.
Delaware secured three more runs in the top of the fifth, and Liberty put up two more following hits from sophomore utility player Alexia Carrasquillo and redshirt junior catcher Savannah Jessee. The sixth inning ended with Delaware leading at a tighter 6-3.
Delaware pulled away in the top of the sixth, rounding the bases from a combination of singles, walks and a double. Three Liberty outs in the bottom of the inning sealed the final score for a Delaware win at 12-3.
Liberty broke through and took the weekend series during the final game, winning 9-6.
Delaware scored in the top of the first, 1-0, but Liberty responded in the bottom.
Strickland and Doerr read their pitches and took walks to first with loaded bases, bringing Jesse and McManus home. Roberts then singled to right field for 2 RBI, scoring Strickland and Lee.
Delaware reclaimed the lead after scoring in the second, third and fifth innings, setting a 6-4 advantage going into the sixth inning, where they notched one more goal before the Flames responded in the bottom.
Fox hit a sacrifice bunt to force Delaware into a fielder’s choice, which advanced senior outfielder Savannah Nash to third and brought home Doerr. The score closed 6-5.
Later in the inning, with bases loaded and one out on the board, McManus nailed a grand slam over the center field fence, sending home redshirt freshman outfielder Felicity Fonseca, Fox and Norris.
As McManus rounded the bases, the Lady Flames rushed the field to welcome her home.
McManus said the last win was essential for the Lady Flames this weekend.
“It’s really important, especially against a team like that,” McManus said. “I don’t really know if we were expecting them to be so back and forth with us, but they came, and thought they had it over us, and so I think we used that to motivate us today.”
The Lady Flames took a 9-6 victory, winning two of the three games in the weekend series.
“I’ve always wanted for them to recognize the gifts that God has given them, and the opportunities he has set before them,” Head Coach Dot Richardson said. “To be the best that we can be with those gifts because that is how we honor Him.”
Liberty will return to Kamphuis Field March 31 to play against the University of North Carolina at 6 p.m. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
Stewart is a sports reporter for the Liberty Champion.