The Lady Flames Softball team fell to Virginia Tech 9-0 in a midweek game April 15 at Kamphuis Field.
Virginia Tech came out strong in the first inning with a two-run homer from sophomore utility player Jordan Lynch, who holds a .442 batting average.
The Hokies kept their momentum in the top of the second, with junior utility player Addison Foster reaching first on a walk. Then Lynch stepped up to the plate and doubled the ball out to left-center field, bringing Foster home to increase the score 3-0.
In the bottom of the second, Liberty recorded two successful hits from redshirt freshman infielder Maci Strickland and senior infielder Brooke Roberts, but a strikeout from redshirt senior infielder Savanah Whatley gave the Hokies the third out, preventing the Lady Flames from scoring.
Both teams allowed no runs throughout the third and fourth innings. Roberts protected first base with two groundout plays while sophomore pitcher Gabby Mike kept up the pressure in the circle with a strikeout. Virginia Tech responded with one groundout, three flyouts and two strikeouts against the Lady Flames.
At the top of the fifth, Virginia Tech sophomore outfielder Nora Abromavage smashed a home run. As two more Hokies filled the bases, Head Coach Dot Richardson made the call to switch out Mike with sophomore pitcher Danner Allen.
“Our pitchers have to work by committee, and we’ve got to keep showing a different look, which served pretty well today,” Richardson said.
With two runners on base, senior infielder Rachel Castine brought in one of her teammates, junior outfielder Lyla Blackwell, with a down-the-line single to right field, increasing the lead to 5-0 for Virginia Tech.
After a scoreless sixth inning for both teams, the Hokies capitalized on an error by Whatley in the infield. With bases loaded, freshman infielder Gaby Mizelle sealed the game for the Hokies with a grand slam.
The Hokies ran away with a 9-0 victory after three consecutive outs for the Lady Flames in the bottom of the seventh.
“Today was hard to take in, and obviously it doesn’t give you the best motivation,” Strickland said. “But I still think that trusting what we have, and trusting in our coaches, and especially yourself to get the job done, I think we can get it done.”
Roberts sees the defeat as an opportunity to take what the team learned and apply it to future games, including the Conference USA (CUSA) tournament later this season.
“This is the preparation for our conference,” Roberts said. “This weekend should be easy.”
According to Richardson, winning the CUSA Tournament is the Lady Flames’ only option of making it to the NCAA Regionals May 15. Facing tough opponents like Virginia Tech helps the team prepare for the pressure to succeed at the Conference Tournament.
“I do believe that this team, when it clicks — and we have three weekends for it to click — and when it does, we will be very difficult to stop,” Richardson said. “But if we don’t turn that corner, we’re not going to know what we’re going to get.”
The Lady Flames return to Kamphuis Field to take on Louisiana Tech University April 22-24. Each game will be available to be streamed live on ESPN+.
Quam is a sports reporter for the Liberty Champion.