The Lady Flames Softball team fell to Louisiana (LA) Tech University in a weekend sweep April 24 to 26, 7-2, 10-0 and 9-7.
Friday’s matchup saw both teams sit neck and neck at 2-2. The Bulldogs managed to pull through and push the game into extra innings. The Bulldogs bested the Lady Flames 7-2 in the ninth inning, adding five insurance runs to secure their win.
Saturday’s game was Senior Day for the Lady Flames, where Liberty University Softball recognized five graduating seniors and celebrated their athletic careers. Seniors infielder Brynn McManus, outfielder Savannah Nash, utility player Aubry Norris, infielder Brooke Roberts and redshirt infielder Savanah Whatley were honored in the pre-game ceremony.
“They were a part of last year’s historic year, and they had the chance to be this year’s leaders. So it’s exciting to see them grow in that role,” Head Coach Dot Richardson said. “I’m just really proud of them and the mark they’ve made on the program.”
On Sunday, the Lady Flames’ bats were hot right from the start. In the first inning, Liberty took an early lead against the Bulldogs. McManus earned the first hit for Liberty with a single to center field.
Sophomore catcher Alexia Carrasquillo brought home McManus with a single down the middle. A hard-hit single from redshirt freshman infielder Maci Strickland brought the score to 2-0 for the Lady Flames.
Liberty rallied again in the bottom of the third inning, adding two more runs to their total. Carrasquillo singled to left field and an infield single by Nash loaded the bases. Roberts knocked in two runs with a single to center field, giving the Lady Flames a 4-0 lead.
LA Tech rallied hard in the top of the fifth. Redshirt sophomore infielder Gracie Flores brought in two runs, with a third coming from a Liberty error to make the score 4-3.
The Bulldogs scored two more runs in the sixth inning, with the first run coming from another Liberty error. LA Tech pushed one across the plate on a groundout by freshman infielder Bradi Gallaway.
The Lady Flames battled back in the bottom of the sixth. Carrasquillo came up to bat and launched a three-run home run over the left center wall to bring the Lady Flames back into the ball game.
“When I took those two strikes, I was like, ‘Okay, I’m going to attack here,’” Carrasquillo said. “I just saw it and hacked at it.”
LA Tech responded with their own home run in the top of the seventh inning, coming from Marchant and sailing over the left center wall to further the Bulldogs lead to 9-7.
The Lady Flames failed to push across any more runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, which gave the Bulldogs the victory.
“I’m pleased today with our offense,” Richardson said. “A couple of defensive errors and walks hurt today.”
The Lady Flames face Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia, starting Thursday, April 30. The games will be streamed on ESPN+.
Wachowiak is a sports reporter for the Liberty Champion.