Thursday, March 19
Lynchburg, Va.
2:00 PM
Liberty University
9-15
4
vs
0
Norfolk State
11-12
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk State | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Liberty | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | X | 4 | 6 | 1 |
Lady Flames Claim Victory in Home Opener
3/19/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Big South Pitcher of the Week Sarah Ellis only gave up one hit, as Liberty shut out Norfolk State, 4-0, in Game 1 of a doubleheader, Thursday afternoon, at Liberty Softball Field.
The Liberty offense started off strong, taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when freshman Danielle Howard ripped a single to right-center field, scoring J'nae Jefferson from second base.
The Lady Flames put a runner in scoring position once again in the bottom of the third, after Jefferson tapped a one-out single to right center, and then stole second. But she remained stranded, and the game entered the fourth with the score still at 1-0.
The Spartans made a threat in the top of the fourth. Jamie Raab led off with a walk, and was safe at second when Brianeisha Eure attempted a sacrifice bunt, and Sarah Ellis' throw to second was too late.
Rebecca Barnes flied out and Danielle Wright struck out swinging for the inning's first two outs. After Meghan Ramsey walked, she was called out on the next play for interference as she collided with Cassie Hendrix trying to field the grounded ball by Candice Vasquez to end the frame.
The Lady Flames extended their lead to 4-0 in the bottom of the fourth as Kelly Strickland homered to center field, her first of the year, to bring in Howard and pinch runner Meredith Baisden.
The Spartans recorded their first hit of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning, when Wright singled up the middle with two outs. But Ellis made sure she stayed at first, striking out Ramsey to end the half-inning.
The Lady Flames offense added two more hits in the bottom of the sixth with two outs, with consecutive singles by pinch hitters Ashley Bensinger and Jenna Eatmon. But the runners stayed put when Strickland grounded out to shortstop to end the inning.
Ellis wrapped up the game quickly in the top of the seventh, striking out the first two batters and forcing the third to ground out.
Strickland was 1-for-3 with three RBIs for the Lady Flames, and Howard batted 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.
Wright led the Spartans, going 1-for-3 to record the visiting team's lone hit of the game.
Ellis (5-9) picked up the win, giving up only one hit and striking out 11 batters in the complete game shutout.
Velasquez (9-4) took the loss, scattering six hits and striking out two in 6.0 innings of work.
The Lady Flames improve to 9-15 after picking up the victory in their home opener.
The loss, Norfolk State's third in the past two days, drops the Spartans to 11-12.
The Lady Flames and the Spartans will face off again this afternoon in Game 2 of the doubleheader.
The Liberty offense started off strong, taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when freshman Danielle Howard ripped a single to right-center field, scoring J'nae Jefferson from second base.
The Lady Flames put a runner in scoring position once again in the bottom of the third, after Jefferson tapped a one-out single to right center, and then stole second. But she remained stranded, and the game entered the fourth with the score still at 1-0.
The Spartans made a threat in the top of the fourth. Jamie Raab led off with a walk, and was safe at second when Brianeisha Eure attempted a sacrifice bunt, and Sarah Ellis' throw to second was too late.
Rebecca Barnes flied out and Danielle Wright struck out swinging for the inning's first two outs. After Meghan Ramsey walked, she was called out on the next play for interference as she collided with Cassie Hendrix trying to field the grounded ball by Candice Vasquez to end the frame.
The Lady Flames extended their lead to 4-0 in the bottom of the fourth as Kelly Strickland homered to center field, her first of the year, to bring in Howard and pinch runner Meredith Baisden.
The Spartans recorded their first hit of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning, when Wright singled up the middle with two outs. But Ellis made sure she stayed at first, striking out Ramsey to end the half-inning.
The Lady Flames offense added two more hits in the bottom of the sixth with two outs, with consecutive singles by pinch hitters Ashley Bensinger and Jenna Eatmon. But the runners stayed put when Strickland grounded out to shortstop to end the inning.
Ellis wrapped up the game quickly in the top of the seventh, striking out the first two batters and forcing the third to ground out.
Strickland was 1-for-3 with three RBIs for the Lady Flames, and Howard batted 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.
Wright led the Spartans, going 1-for-3 to record the visiting team's lone hit of the game.
Ellis (5-9) picked up the win, giving up only one hit and striking out 11 batters in the complete game shutout.
Velasquez (9-4) took the loss, scattering six hits and striking out two in 6.0 innings of work.
The Lady Flames improve to 9-15 after picking up the victory in their home opener.
The loss, Norfolk State's third in the past two days, drops the Spartans to 11-12.
The Lady Flames and the Spartans will face off again this afternoon in Game 2 of the doubleheader.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Ellis, Sarah (5-9)
L: Velazquez,Alyssa (9-4)
Batting:
HR: Strickland, Kelly 1
RBI: Howard, Danielle 1 ; Strickland, Kelly 3
Base Running:
RUNS: Jefferson, J'nae 1 ; Howard, Danielle 1 ; Baisden, Meredith 1 ; Strickland, Kelly 1
SB: Jefferson, J'nae 1 ; Baisden, Meredith 1
Game Leaders
AB
2
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
AB
2
R
1
H
1
RBI
1
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
1
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
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