Sunday, April 5
Lynchburg, Va.
1:00 PM
Liberty University
14-21, 0
4
vs
2
Charleston Southern
19-21, 0
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston Southern | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
| Liberty | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | X | 4 | 11 | 3 |
Lady Flames Complete Sweep Over CSU
4/5/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Liberty recorded two or more hits during each of the first five innings, setting up a 4-2 victory in the final game of a Big South series over Charleston Southern, Sunday afternoon, at Liberty Softball Field.
The victory also reflected the third win of the weekend for Liberty pitcher Sarah Ellis.
The Lady Flames attacked early, taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when designated player Ashley Bensinger hit her first career home run, a two-out solo shot over the left field fence.
But the Lady Bucs stormed back in the top of the second, scoring two unearned runs as the Liberty defense committed two fielding errors. Gail Matsushima reached when third baseman J'nae Jefferson misplayed a hard-hit ground ball, and advanced to second when Lisa Rice grounded out to second.
With one out, Jamie Wellons singled to right center, and was able to move to third on a throwing error by Jefferson, which allowed Matsushima to score the Lady Bucs' first run of the game. After Brittany York struck out swinging, Melissa Adams singled through the right side, driving in Wellons to give Charleston Southern a 2-1 lead. But the Lady Flames got out of the half-inning when Adams was caught stealing for the third out.
The Lady Flames defense rebounded in the third, keeping the visitors from adding to the scoreboard, when Brittany Giannini led off with a single down the left field line. Megan Lombard then doubled to right center, and Giannini was thrown out at home on a strong cutoff throw from Cassie Hendrix. Lombard then advanced to third on a passed ball, but stayed stranded when Megan Hall lined out to third to end the half-inning.
The Lady Flames responded, scoring the tying run in the bottom of the third. With one out, Jefferson smacked a triple down the right field line, her second of the year. After Bensinger grounded out to third, Kaylee West belted a double to right center to bring in Jefferson and tie the game at 2-2.
Liberty once again got into a jam in the top of the fourth. Matsushima was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, but was forced out at second on a ground ball by Lisa Rice. Pinch runner Caitlin Allen advanced to second when Wellons singled to left field. After York flied out to left, Adams was hit by a pitch, loading the bases with two outs. But Ellis came through, striking out Giannini to avoid any damage.
The Lady Flames took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the fourth thanks to a two-out rally. Kelly Strickland started the surge with a single to right field, and Hendrix followed up with a base hit to short left center. Strickland crossed the plate on the next play when Danielle Howard singled up the middle for the RBI.
Liberty added its final run in the bottom of the fifth. Bensinger led off with a single through the left side, and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by West. Bensinger moved to third when Amber DePasquale grounded out to second base, and scored on a double by Beth Bennett, her ninth of 2009.
The Lady Bucs could not find an answer during their final at-bat, and the Lady Flames completed the three-game sweep with a 4-2 final score.
Eight out of the nine Liberty starters recorded hits in the game, continuing the Lady Flames' hitting streak. Liberty has pounded out 10 or more hits in three out of the last four games, and four out of the last seven games, with 11 total hits in today's contest.
Bensinger led the Lady Flames, batting 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored, while Howard, West and Bennett each drove in a run.
The Lady Bucs were led by Wellons, who was 2-for-3 with a run scored.
Ellis (8-14), who picked up her third win of the weekend over the Lady Bucs, gave up five hits and two unearned runs and struck out two batters in the complete-game victory.
Vetter (9-6) took the loss, scattering nine hits and recording one strikeout in 3.2 innings pitched.
With the win, Liberty improves to 14-21 overall and 3-3 in the Big South.
Coming into this weekend's series, CSU was the Big South's leader with a 5-1 record. After being handed three-straight losses from Liberty, the Lady Bucs drop to 19-21 overall and 5-4 in Big South play.
The Lady Flames are back in action on Wednesday, when they travel to Harrisonburg, Va., to take on James Madison in a non-conference doubleheader. The first game is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.
The victory also reflected the third win of the weekend for Liberty pitcher Sarah Ellis.
The Lady Flames attacked early, taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when designated player Ashley Bensinger hit her first career home run, a two-out solo shot over the left field fence.
But the Lady Bucs stormed back in the top of the second, scoring two unearned runs as the Liberty defense committed two fielding errors. Gail Matsushima reached when third baseman J'nae Jefferson misplayed a hard-hit ground ball, and advanced to second when Lisa Rice grounded out to second.
With one out, Jamie Wellons singled to right center, and was able to move to third on a throwing error by Jefferson, which allowed Matsushima to score the Lady Bucs' first run of the game. After Brittany York struck out swinging, Melissa Adams singled through the right side, driving in Wellons to give Charleston Southern a 2-1 lead. But the Lady Flames got out of the half-inning when Adams was caught stealing for the third out.
The Lady Flames defense rebounded in the third, keeping the visitors from adding to the scoreboard, when Brittany Giannini led off with a single down the left field line. Megan Lombard then doubled to right center, and Giannini was thrown out at home on a strong cutoff throw from Cassie Hendrix. Lombard then advanced to third on a passed ball, but stayed stranded when Megan Hall lined out to third to end the half-inning.
The Lady Flames responded, scoring the tying run in the bottom of the third. With one out, Jefferson smacked a triple down the right field line, her second of the year. After Bensinger grounded out to third, Kaylee West belted a double to right center to bring in Jefferson and tie the game at 2-2.
Liberty once again got into a jam in the top of the fourth. Matsushima was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, but was forced out at second on a ground ball by Lisa Rice. Pinch runner Caitlin Allen advanced to second when Wellons singled to left field. After York flied out to left, Adams was hit by a pitch, loading the bases with two outs. But Ellis came through, striking out Giannini to avoid any damage.
The Lady Flames took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the fourth thanks to a two-out rally. Kelly Strickland started the surge with a single to right field, and Hendrix followed up with a base hit to short left center. Strickland crossed the plate on the next play when Danielle Howard singled up the middle for the RBI.
Liberty added its final run in the bottom of the fifth. Bensinger led off with a single through the left side, and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by West. Bensinger moved to third when Amber DePasquale grounded out to second base, and scored on a double by Beth Bennett, her ninth of 2009.
The Lady Bucs could not find an answer during their final at-bat, and the Lady Flames completed the three-game sweep with a 4-2 final score.
Eight out of the nine Liberty starters recorded hits in the game, continuing the Lady Flames' hitting streak. Liberty has pounded out 10 or more hits in three out of the last four games, and four out of the last seven games, with 11 total hits in today's contest.
Bensinger led the Lady Flames, batting 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored, while Howard, West and Bennett each drove in a run.
The Lady Bucs were led by Wellons, who was 2-for-3 with a run scored.
Ellis (8-14), who picked up her third win of the weekend over the Lady Bucs, gave up five hits and two unearned runs and struck out two batters in the complete-game victory.
Vetter (9-6) took the loss, scattering nine hits and recording one strikeout in 3.2 innings pitched.
With the win, Liberty improves to 14-21 overall and 3-3 in the Big South.
Coming into this weekend's series, CSU was the Big South's leader with a 5-1 record. After being handed three-straight losses from Liberty, the Lady Bucs drop to 19-21 overall and 5-4 in Big South play.
The Lady Flames are back in action on Wednesday, when they travel to Harrisonburg, Va., to take on James Madison in a non-conference doubleheader. The first game is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Ellis, Sarah (8-14)
L: VETTER, Sondra (9-6)
Batting:
2B: LOMBARD, Megan 1
RBI: ADAMS, Melissa 1
Base Running:
RUNS: MATSUSHIMA, Gail 1 ; WELLONS, Jamie 1
CS: ADAMS, Melissa 1
HBP: MATSUSHIMA, Gail 1 ; ADAMS, Melissa 2
Batting:
2B: West, Kaylee 1 ; Bennett, Beth 1
3B: Jefferson, J'nae 1
HR: Bensinger, Ashley 1
RBI: Howard, Danielle 1 ; Bensinger, Ashley 1 ; West, Kaylee 1 ; Bennett, Beth 1
SH: West, Kaylee 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Jefferson, J'nae 1 ; Bensinger, Ashley 2 ; Strickland, Kelly 1
Game Leaders
AB
3
R
2
H
2
RBI
1
AB
2
R
0
H
2
RBI
1
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
1
Wednesday, May 06
Tuesday, May 05
Monday, May 04
Wednesday, April 29