Thursday, April 16
Lynchburg, Va.
4:00 PM
Liberty University
15-27
3
vs
4
Virginia Tech
19-19
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Tech | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 12 | 0 |
| Liberty | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 2 |
Hokies Hold Off Lady Flames, 4-3
4/16/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
The Hokies were able to hold off a late comeback attempt by the Lady Flames, claiming Game 2 of a non-conference doubleheader, 4-3, to complete the sweep, Thursday afternoon, at Liberty Softball Field.
The Liberty offense ignited in the bottom of the third, as Beth Bennett led off with a single through the left side, and Danielle Howard followed up with a single to center field. Amber DePasquale then laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance both runners, and Liberty had runners on second and third with one out. But the Lady Flames could not keep the momentum going, and the runners stayed stranded as Keely McMillon grounded out to the shortstop and Kelly Strickland popped out to second.
The Hokies took a quick 3-0 lead in the top of the fourth. Jessica Everhart led off with a single to left field, and advanced on an infield single by Beth Walker. Both runners advanced when Whitney Davis tapped a sacrifice bunt, and Everhart scored on the next play when Graham singled to center field.
The Hokies scored again when Amber Walker reached on a Liberty fielding error, allowing Graham and Beth Walker to cross the plate to put the score at 3-0.
The Lady Flames answered with two runs in the bottom of the fourth. Bennett led off with a walk, and Howard came up next with a single through the right side. Both runners moved over when DePasquale put down another successful sacrifice bunt.
After McMillon grounded out, Strickland belted a two-out double to center field, driving in two runs to bring the Lady Flames within one, 3-2.
But Virginia Tech wasn't turning back, and the Hokies added another run in the top of the fifth on another Liberty error.
The Lady Flames started a comeback effort in the bottom of the seventh, as Strickland led off with a single to center field. After two straight groundouts, which allowed pinch runner Jennifer Pittman to advance to third, pinch hitter Jenny Law smacked an infield single to short for an RBI, and the Lady Flames brought the score to 4-3.
But that's where the rally ended, as designated player Ashley Bensinger hit a ground ball to second baseman Froehlich, who completed the force out at second to end the game.
Virginia Tech was led by Graham, who was 2-for-4 with an RBI, and Everhart, who batted 2-for-4 with two runs scored.
Strickland led Liberty, batting 2-for-3 with two RBIs, while Law logged her second late-game hit of the day to drive in a run.
Hokie pitcher Kenzie Roark (14-11) picked up her second win of the day, giving up seven hits and recording four strikeouts in the complete game appearance.
Liberty hurler Sarah Ellis (8-18) took the loss, scattering 11 hits and striking out three batters in five complete innings.
The Hokies improve to 19-19 on the year, while the Lady Flames drop to 15-27.
Despite the losses, the Lady Flames are proving to be an offensive force, as they have now recorded at least five hits in the last five games. Bennett has now hit safely in eight of the last 10 contests.
Liberty is back in action this weekend, with a non-conference doubleheader against Longwood in Farmville, Va. Game 1 is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.
The Liberty offense ignited in the bottom of the third, as Beth Bennett led off with a single through the left side, and Danielle Howard followed up with a single to center field. Amber DePasquale then laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance both runners, and Liberty had runners on second and third with one out. But the Lady Flames could not keep the momentum going, and the runners stayed stranded as Keely McMillon grounded out to the shortstop and Kelly Strickland popped out to second.
The Hokies took a quick 3-0 lead in the top of the fourth. Jessica Everhart led off with a single to left field, and advanced on an infield single by Beth Walker. Both runners advanced when Whitney Davis tapped a sacrifice bunt, and Everhart scored on the next play when Graham singled to center field.
The Hokies scored again when Amber Walker reached on a Liberty fielding error, allowing Graham and Beth Walker to cross the plate to put the score at 3-0.
The Lady Flames answered with two runs in the bottom of the fourth. Bennett led off with a walk, and Howard came up next with a single through the right side. Both runners moved over when DePasquale put down another successful sacrifice bunt.
After McMillon grounded out, Strickland belted a two-out double to center field, driving in two runs to bring the Lady Flames within one, 3-2.
But Virginia Tech wasn't turning back, and the Hokies added another run in the top of the fifth on another Liberty error.
The Lady Flames started a comeback effort in the bottom of the seventh, as Strickland led off with a single to center field. After two straight groundouts, which allowed pinch runner Jennifer Pittman to advance to third, pinch hitter Jenny Law smacked an infield single to short for an RBI, and the Lady Flames brought the score to 4-3.
But that's where the rally ended, as designated player Ashley Bensinger hit a ground ball to second baseman Froehlich, who completed the force out at second to end the game.
Virginia Tech was led by Graham, who was 2-for-4 with an RBI, and Everhart, who batted 2-for-4 with two runs scored.
Strickland led Liberty, batting 2-for-3 with two RBIs, while Law logged her second late-game hit of the day to drive in a run.
Hokie pitcher Kenzie Roark (14-11) picked up her second win of the day, giving up seven hits and recording four strikeouts in the complete game appearance.
Liberty hurler Sarah Ellis (8-18) took the loss, scattering 11 hits and striking out three batters in five complete innings.
The Hokies improve to 19-19 on the year, while the Lady Flames drop to 15-27.
Despite the losses, the Lady Flames are proving to be an offensive force, as they have now recorded at least five hits in the last five games. Bennett has now hit safely in eight of the last 10 contests.
Liberty is back in action this weekend, with a non-conference doubleheader against Longwood in Farmville, Va. Game 1 is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Kenzie Roark (14-11)
L: Ellis, Sarah (8-18)
Batting:
2B: Erin Ota 1
RBI: Kristin Graham 1 ; Amber Walker 1
SH: Erin Ota 1 ; Beth Walker 1 ; Whitney Davis 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Jessica Everhart 2 ; Beth Walker 1 ; Kristin Graham 1
SB: Beth Walker 1
Batting:
2B: Strickland, Kelly 1
RBI: Law, Jenny 1 ; Strickland, Kelly 2
SH: DePasquale, Amber 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Bennett, Beth 1 ; Howard, Danielle 1 ; Pittman, Jennifer 1
Game Leaders
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
2
RBI
2
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
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