Lady Flames Set For Doubleheader With JMU
4/7/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
After two straight Big South series, the Lady Flames will take a break from conference play when they travel to Harrisonburg, Va. to face off against the Dukes of James Madison in a doubleheader, Wednesday afternoon, beginning at 2 p.m.
Liberty (14-21, 3-3 Big South) enters the matchup on a three-game winning streak after sweeping Charleston Southern last weekend in a Big South three-game series at home, 2-1, 4-2 and 4-2. The Lady Flames' bats have heated up as conference play has gotten underway, as the team has recorded at least 10 hits in four of the last seven games, with 11 total hits in Sunday's win over the Lady Bucs.
James Madison (20-11, 2-6 CAA) enters the contest having lost three in a row, all to CAA opponent Georgia State, over the weekend.
The Dukes saw success against Big South member Radford, sweeping the Highlanders in a doubleheader, 4-2 and 5-1, on April 1. Radford is currently ranked second in the Big South standings, while Liberty stands in the No. 4 slot.
Senior Beth Bennett leads the Lady Flames offensively, batting .266 on the year with 25 hits, 15 RBI and five home runs, while sophomore Keely McMillon is currently on a five-game hitting streak.
Lady Flames hurler Sarah Ellis (8-14) is also on a winning streak after picking up all three Big South wins in the circle over the weekend. The senior has recorded a 2.98 ERA with 90 strikeouts in 119.2 innings pitched this year.
The Dukes are led by senior Amber Kirk, who is batting .354 with 35 hits, 17 RBIs and 18 runs scored, while senior pitcher Meredith Felts (9-4) has tallied 110 strikeouts and posts a 1.67 ERA over 104.2 innings of work.
Wednesday's doubleheader marks the 14th meeting between Liberty and James Madison, and the Lady Flames are 6-7 all-time against the Dukes. The two teams last met in 2008, when they split a doubleheader in Lynchburg. Liberty won the first game, 5-4, and the Dukes came back to take the second, 4-2.
Notes from the Backstop
Leaders in the Circle
The Liberty pitching staff boasts the lowest team ERA in the Big South (2.62), as well as the most strikeouts with 190, while Tiffani Smith is tied for 20th in the nation with two saves on the year. The Lady Flames are one of only two teams in the conference with multiple pitchers taking the New Balance Big South Pitcher of the Week Honors (Smith and Sarah Ellis).
Offense on Fire
The Lady Flames have recorded 55 hits over the last seven games, averaging 7.86 hits per game, to raise the team batting average by 20 points (.200 to .220). The Liberty offense has also logged extra-base hits in the last six games and in 12 of the last 13 games.
Home Field Advantage
The Lady Flames are currently 6-1 at home, giving Liberty the best home winning percentage in the Big South in 2009.
Bennett's Booming Bat
Senior Beth Bennett struggled at the plate during the first 12 games of the year, but has since turned it around, batting .312 with 20 hits and 12 RBIs since March 7. Five of those hits came during the weekend, helping Liberty sweep Big South opponent Charleston Southern.
Liberty (14-21, 3-3 Big South) enters the matchup on a three-game winning streak after sweeping Charleston Southern last weekend in a Big South three-game series at home, 2-1, 4-2 and 4-2. The Lady Flames' bats have heated up as conference play has gotten underway, as the team has recorded at least 10 hits in four of the last seven games, with 11 total hits in Sunday's win over the Lady Bucs.
James Madison (20-11, 2-6 CAA) enters the contest having lost three in a row, all to CAA opponent Georgia State, over the weekend.
The Dukes saw success against Big South member Radford, sweeping the Highlanders in a doubleheader, 4-2 and 5-1, on April 1. Radford is currently ranked second in the Big South standings, while Liberty stands in the No. 4 slot.
Senior Beth Bennett leads the Lady Flames offensively, batting .266 on the year with 25 hits, 15 RBI and five home runs, while sophomore Keely McMillon is currently on a five-game hitting streak.
Lady Flames hurler Sarah Ellis (8-14) is also on a winning streak after picking up all three Big South wins in the circle over the weekend. The senior has recorded a 2.98 ERA with 90 strikeouts in 119.2 innings pitched this year.
The Dukes are led by senior Amber Kirk, who is batting .354 with 35 hits, 17 RBIs and 18 runs scored, while senior pitcher Meredith Felts (9-4) has tallied 110 strikeouts and posts a 1.67 ERA over 104.2 innings of work.
Wednesday's doubleheader marks the 14th meeting between Liberty and James Madison, and the Lady Flames are 6-7 all-time against the Dukes. The two teams last met in 2008, when they split a doubleheader in Lynchburg. Liberty won the first game, 5-4, and the Dukes came back to take the second, 4-2.
Notes from the Backstop
Leaders in the Circle
The Liberty pitching staff boasts the lowest team ERA in the Big South (2.62), as well as the most strikeouts with 190, while Tiffani Smith is tied for 20th in the nation with two saves on the year. The Lady Flames are one of only two teams in the conference with multiple pitchers taking the New Balance Big South Pitcher of the Week Honors (Smith and Sarah Ellis).
Offense on Fire
The Lady Flames have recorded 55 hits over the last seven games, averaging 7.86 hits per game, to raise the team batting average by 20 points (.200 to .220). The Liberty offense has also logged extra-base hits in the last six games and in 12 of the last 13 games.
Home Field Advantage
The Lady Flames are currently 6-1 at home, giving Liberty the best home winning percentage in the Big South in 2009.
Bennett's Booming Bat
Senior Beth Bennett struggled at the plate during the first 12 games of the year, but has since turned it around, batting .312 with 20 hits and 12 RBIs since March 7. Five of those hits came during the weekend, helping Liberty sweep Big South opponent Charleston Southern.
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