Thursday, March 19
Lynchburg, Va.
4:00 PM
Liberty University
10-15
3
vs
1
Norfolk State
11-13
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk State | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 |
| Liberty | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | X | 3 | 6 | 2 |
Lady Flames Complete Sweep with 3-1 Victory
3/19/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
The Lady Flames fended off a late threat by Norfolk State, holding on to win the second game of a home season-opening twinbill, 3-1, and sweep a doubleheader against Norfolk State, Thursday afternoon, at Liberty Softball Field.
The Lady Flames were able to take a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Leadoff hitter Jenny Law started with a walk, and then stole second. J'nae Jefferson also walked, bringing up senior Beth Bennett. With a 1-1 count, Bennett singled down the left field line to bring Law home.
Jefferson tried to move to third on the play, but was tagged out on the bang-bang play at the bag, halting Liberty attempt to post more runs during the opening frame.
Kaylee West tried to start a two-out rally in the bottom of the third when she ripped a single up the middle. Danielle Howard followed up with a single to left field, but the inning ended when Keely McMillon struck out looking.
The Lady Flames defense encountered problems in the top of the fourth, when Danielle Wright reached on an error by second baseman Cassie Hendrix, and advanced to second on the misplayed ball. But the Spartans could not capitalize, as Meghan Ramsey popped up to second base, and Candice Vasquez and Kristin Fungo struck out swinging.
Liberty threatened in the bottom of the fourth with some help from the Spartans. Pinch hitter Ashley Bensinger led off with a walk, followed by a sacrifice bunt from Amber DePasquale. Kelly Strickland also walked, and Jefferson was hit by a pitch to load the bases with two outs. But Norfolk State got out of the jam when Bennett flied out to center field to end the inning.
The Lady Flames were finally able to add two insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth. Howard singled to right center and advanced to second on a fielding error by center fielder Brianeisha Eure. McMillon was next up to bat and drove in Howard with a single up the middle, advancing to second on the throw and giving Liberty a 2-0 lead.
Pinch runner Jennifer Pittman advanced to third when Hendrix grounded out to second, and then scored on a wild pitch to push the score to 3-0.
The Spartans' bats were a cause for concern for the Lady Flames in the top of the seventh inning. Elizabeth Castaneda led off with a single to right field, and scored from first when Eure belted a double that sailed to the fence in left field. But the Lady Flames halted the Spartans' hopes for a comeback, as Barnes flied out to right field and Wright lined out to second base to end the game.
Bennett led the Lady Flames, batting 2-for-4 with an RBI, and Howard was 2-for-2 with a run scored. The Spartans were led by Eure, who batted 1-for-3 with an RBI.
Tiffani Smith (5-6) picked up the win in the circle, scattering four hits and striking out eight batters in the complete-game appearance.
Casey Pomeroy took the loss, giving up three hits and striking out one in 3.2 innings of work.
With the sweep on the day, Liberty improves to 10-15 on the year, while Norfolk State falls to 11-13.
The Lady Flames are back in action at home, Tuesday afternoon, with a doubleheader against Hampton. The first game of the twinbill is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m., at Liberty Softball Field.
The Lady Flames were able to take a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Leadoff hitter Jenny Law started with a walk, and then stole second. J'nae Jefferson also walked, bringing up senior Beth Bennett. With a 1-1 count, Bennett singled down the left field line to bring Law home.
Jefferson tried to move to third on the play, but was tagged out on the bang-bang play at the bag, halting Liberty attempt to post more runs during the opening frame.
Kaylee West tried to start a two-out rally in the bottom of the third when she ripped a single up the middle. Danielle Howard followed up with a single to left field, but the inning ended when Keely McMillon struck out looking.
The Lady Flames defense encountered problems in the top of the fourth, when Danielle Wright reached on an error by second baseman Cassie Hendrix, and advanced to second on the misplayed ball. But the Spartans could not capitalize, as Meghan Ramsey popped up to second base, and Candice Vasquez and Kristin Fungo struck out swinging.
Liberty threatened in the bottom of the fourth with some help from the Spartans. Pinch hitter Ashley Bensinger led off with a walk, followed by a sacrifice bunt from Amber DePasquale. Kelly Strickland also walked, and Jefferson was hit by a pitch to load the bases with two outs. But Norfolk State got out of the jam when Bennett flied out to center field to end the inning.
The Lady Flames were finally able to add two insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth. Howard singled to right center and advanced to second on a fielding error by center fielder Brianeisha Eure. McMillon was next up to bat and drove in Howard with a single up the middle, advancing to second on the throw and giving Liberty a 2-0 lead.
Pinch runner Jennifer Pittman advanced to third when Hendrix grounded out to second, and then scored on a wild pitch to push the score to 3-0.
The Spartans' bats were a cause for concern for the Lady Flames in the top of the seventh inning. Elizabeth Castaneda led off with a single to right field, and scored from first when Eure belted a double that sailed to the fence in left field. But the Lady Flames halted the Spartans' hopes for a comeback, as Barnes flied out to right field and Wright lined out to second base to end the game.
Bennett led the Lady Flames, batting 2-for-4 with an RBI, and Howard was 2-for-2 with a run scored. The Spartans were led by Eure, who batted 1-for-3 with an RBI.
Tiffani Smith (5-6) picked up the win in the circle, scattering four hits and striking out eight batters in the complete-game appearance.
Casey Pomeroy took the loss, giving up three hits and striking out one in 3.2 innings of work.
With the sweep on the day, Liberty improves to 10-15 on the year, while Norfolk State falls to 11-13.
The Lady Flames are back in action at home, Tuesday afternoon, with a doubleheader against Hampton. The first game of the twinbill is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m., at Liberty Softball Field.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Smith, Tiffani (5-6)
L: Pomeroy,Casey (1-4)
Batting:
2B: Eure,Brianeisha 1
RBI: Eure,Brianeisha 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Castaneda,Elizabeth 1
Batting:
2B: Bennett, Beth 1
RBI: Bennett, Beth 1 ; McMillon, Keely 1
SH: DePasquale, Amber 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Law, Jenny 1 ; Howard, Danielle 1 ; Pittman, Jennifer 1
SB: Law, Jenny 1
HBP: Jefferson, J'nae 1
Game Leaders
AB
4
R
0
H
2
RBI
1
AB
2
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
4
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
1
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