The Lady Flames Softball team played its last home game against the University of Virginia (UVA) in a midweek matchup April 28, falling 4-0 at Kamphuis Field.
UVA took an early lead when senior infielder Jade Hylton found the first pitch of the game and smashed a home run to right-center field. Liberty’s attempts to fight back were blocked, ending the first inning with the Hoos in the lead 1-0.
UVA scored in the top of the third. Liberty sophomore pitcher Danner Allen walked Hylton, who proceeded to steal second and third bases after a throwing error from redshirt junior catcher Savannah Jessee. A sacrifice fly from junior infielder Bella Cabral allowed Hylton to steal home when the Lady Flames failed to tag her out.
Redshirt freshman catcher Reagan Hickey hit a home run to center field once the bases cleared to increase the Hoos’ lead to 3-0. Liberty relieved Allen from the circle with sophomore pitcher Gabby Mike to close out the top of the inning.
“I think we’ve had some pitchers who’ve really stepped up,” Head Coach Dot Richardson said. “Danner’s been doing good. I think G Mike did well today.”
UVA loaded the bases in the top of the fourth after freshman catcher Hannah Weismer was hit by a pitch. Senior outfielder Kassidy Hudson singled to Mike, and Hylton took advantage of a fielder’s choice. Junior infielder Macee Eaton was walked to bring Weismer home, extending the lead to 4-0.
The Lady Flames defense came to life with a fantastic double play as a ground ball flew from sophomore utility player Ella Fox at second base, to Jessee, to senior infielder Brooke Roberts at first base to end the fourth inning.
Despite Liberty making contact with the ball in the last three innings, it was not enough. UVA attempted to further its lead, but the Lady Flames held strong to limit the damage, falling 4-0.
“I feel like when you have a bad game offensively, it’s like, okay, you get to reset and, let me do my job defensively,” junior outfielder Paige Doerr said. “So it’s a nice mental reset to (have) a breath of fresh air, and when you don’t get a job done on one side of the ball, you get the opportunity to reset and do your job on the other side.”
The Lady Flames will close out their regular season in Kennesaw, Georgia, against Kennesaw State University April 30–May 2. The games will be streamed on ESPN+.
Huckabay is a copy editor for the Liberty Champion.