Sophomore pitcher Tiffani Smith recorded her first career no-hitter as Liberty defeated Delaware State Saturday, 2-0, for the second time in the Seahawk Classic.

With the win, the Lady Flames wrapped up a perfect appearance at the 2009 Seahawk Classic after defeating UNC Wilmington earlier in the day and prevailing over Delaware State Friday night. All remaining games were canceled due to inclement weather in the Wilmington area.

With the three victories, the Lady Flames have now won eight straight games at the Seahawk Classic after, taking five straight in 2006 en route to the tournament title.

Senior Beth Bennett jump started the Liberty offense in the top of the first inning when she hit her first home run of the year over the center field fence. The solo shot put the Lady Flames up, 1-0.

Liberty tacked another run onto its lead in the top of the third, when Danielle Howard tapped a single up the middle to score Cassie Hendrix from second base.

Liberty set itself up to add more runs in the top of the fifth, after the Lady Flames loaded the bases with no outs. But Liberty could not capitalize, as Delaware State relief pitcher Brittney Ruark hurled three consecutive strikeouts.

The Hornets' offense threatened a comeback in the bottom of the fifth, when Leslie Pleasanton and Allison Rubin reached on walks. After Megan Lambertz flied out to center field to end the inning, the game was called due to the heavy rain that had begun to fall, and Liberty walked away with a 2-0 shutout.

Howard batted 1-for-2 for Liberty with an RBI, and Bennett was 1-for-2 with a run scored. The hitless Hornets only reached base three times, all on walks.
Smith (2-2) took the win, giving up no hits and striking out two batters in the complete-game shutout. Earlier in the day, she also recorded a save in the team's 4-1 win over UNC Wilmington earlier in the day.

The last no-hitter earned by a Liberty pitcher was on April 27, 2007, when Terra Lowe achieved the honor in a 4-0 win over Coastal Carolina.

Lambertz (0-1) took the loss, scattering three hits and two runs over 3 1/3 innings of work.

Liberty has won a total of 12 out of the last 13 games at the Seahawk Classic. The Lady Flames won their first four games of the tournament in 2005, before falling to East Carolina in the title game.

Liberty improves to 3-6 on the year after the victory, while Delaware State dropped its second straight to fall to 4-2 on the season.

The Lady Flames will be back in action on March 7-9, when they participate at the Florida State Invitational in Tallahassee, Fla. Liberty opens the three-day event against Middle Tennessee State on March 7, at 10 a.m.