Friday, May 8
Radford, Va.
4:00 PM
Liberty University
24-34
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Radford
39-12
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Liberty
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Radford
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No. 1 Seed Radford Rallies Back to Beat LU
5/8/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
No. 3 seed Liberty owned a 1-0 advantage throughout nearly the entire contest, Friday afternoon at the Big South Softball Championship. However, No. 1 seed Radford came from behind in the bottom of the seventh inning, scoring two runs in its final at bat to win the game, 2-1.
J'nae Jefferson drilled a one-out double deep to center field in the top of the first to record the first hit of the game. She moved to third when Kelly Strickland grounded out to second base. The junior then crossed the plate on the next play, when senior Beth Bennett belted a double to left center, giving the Lady Flames an early 1-0 lead.
The Highlanders posted a pair of hits during their first at-bat, as Kristen Shifflett reached on an infield single and Nichole Beall doubled to left-center two batters later, moving Shifflett to third. With runners on the corners and two outs, Ellis came up with a big strikeout of Radford's No. 5 hitter, Michelle Beall, allowing the Lady Flames to hold onto a 1-0 lead going into the second inning.
Ellis was unhittable in the bottom of the second, as Shannon Keefe and Jenn Everhart struck out looking, and Hope Creasy grounded out.
In the top of the third inning, Strickland got on base with a two-out single to center field. Her base hit was followed up by a long fly ball from Beth Bennett that nearly cleared the left field fence for a home run, but stayed in the park for the inning's third out.
Big South Freshman of the Year Leigh Godfrey ripped a single through the right side with one out in the bottom of the third, giving the Highlanders their third base runner of the game. But she was forced out at second on the next play, when Shifflett hit a grounder to second baseman Cassie Hendrix. The inning ended on the ensuing play, when Himan grounded out to the pitcher.
The Highlanders put a runner in scoring position in the bottom of the fifth inning. With one out, Creasy drew a walk, and pinch runner Kristy Brewer advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Lauren Williams. With two outs, Godfrey lined out to left fielder Danielle Howard, and the game entered the sixth inning with Liberty maintaining its 1-0 advantage.
In the top of the seventh, DePasquale grounded out to shortstop, and Danielle Howard struck out before Law ripped a double over the head of center fielder Godfrey. Eatmon then singled up the middle, but Law was thrown out at home on her attempt to score, and the game entered the bottom of the seventh inning with the score remaining 1-0 in Liberty's favor.
The Highlanders immediately put the tying run on first when Michelle Beall led off with a walk, and Keefe followed up with a double to center field, putting runners on second and third with nobody out.
The game ended on the next play, when Everhart nailed a shot to left center field, allowing both runners to score, and the Highlanders walked away with the 2-1 win.
The Lady Flames were led by Bennett, who was 1-for-3 with an RBI.
Everhart paced Radford's attack, batting 1-for-3 with two RBIs.
Chelsea Kelley picked up the win in the circle for the Highlanders, giving up six hits and striking out three batters in seven complete innings.
Ellis (13-22) took the loss, giving up five hits and striking out four batters in the complete game appearance.
The Highlanders improve to 39-12 on the year, and advance to Saturday's Big South Championship title game, while the Lady Flames drop to 24-34. Liberty will play again at 8 p.m. this evening against the winner of No. 4 Charleston Southern and No. 5 Gardner-Webb.
J'nae Jefferson drilled a one-out double deep to center field in the top of the first to record the first hit of the game. She moved to third when Kelly Strickland grounded out to second base. The junior then crossed the plate on the next play, when senior Beth Bennett belted a double to left center, giving the Lady Flames an early 1-0 lead.
The Highlanders posted a pair of hits during their first at-bat, as Kristen Shifflett reached on an infield single and Nichole Beall doubled to left-center two batters later, moving Shifflett to third. With runners on the corners and two outs, Ellis came up with a big strikeout of Radford's No. 5 hitter, Michelle Beall, allowing the Lady Flames to hold onto a 1-0 lead going into the second inning.
Ellis was unhittable in the bottom of the second, as Shannon Keefe and Jenn Everhart struck out looking, and Hope Creasy grounded out.
In the top of the third inning, Strickland got on base with a two-out single to center field. Her base hit was followed up by a long fly ball from Beth Bennett that nearly cleared the left field fence for a home run, but stayed in the park for the inning's third out.
Big South Freshman of the Year Leigh Godfrey ripped a single through the right side with one out in the bottom of the third, giving the Highlanders their third base runner of the game. But she was forced out at second on the next play, when Shifflett hit a grounder to second baseman Cassie Hendrix. The inning ended on the ensuing play, when Himan grounded out to the pitcher.
The Highlanders put a runner in scoring position in the bottom of the fifth inning. With one out, Creasy drew a walk, and pinch runner Kristy Brewer advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Lauren Williams. With two outs, Godfrey lined out to left fielder Danielle Howard, and the game entered the sixth inning with Liberty maintaining its 1-0 advantage.
In the top of the seventh, DePasquale grounded out to shortstop, and Danielle Howard struck out before Law ripped a double over the head of center fielder Godfrey. Eatmon then singled up the middle, but Law was thrown out at home on her attempt to score, and the game entered the bottom of the seventh inning with the score remaining 1-0 in Liberty's favor.
The Highlanders immediately put the tying run on first when Michelle Beall led off with a walk, and Keefe followed up with a double to center field, putting runners on second and third with nobody out.
The game ended on the next play, when Everhart nailed a shot to left center field, allowing both runners to score, and the Highlanders walked away with the 2-1 win.
The Lady Flames were led by Bennett, who was 1-for-3 with an RBI.
Everhart paced Radford's attack, batting 1-for-3 with two RBIs.
Chelsea Kelley picked up the win in the circle for the Highlanders, giving up six hits and striking out three batters in seven complete innings.
Ellis (13-22) took the loss, giving up five hits and striking out four batters in the complete game appearance.
The Highlanders improve to 39-12 on the year, and advance to Saturday's Big South Championship title game, while the Lady Flames drop to 24-34. Liberty will play again at 8 p.m. this evening against the winner of No. 4 Charleston Southern and No. 5 Gardner-Webb.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: KELLEY, Chelsea (23-6)
L: Ellis, Sarah (13-22)
Batting:
2B: Jefferson, J'nae 1 ; Bennett, Beth 1 ; Law, Jenny 1
RBI: Bennett, Beth 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Jefferson, J'nae 1
Batting:
2B: BEALL, Nichole 1 ; KEEFE, Shannon 1 ; EVERHART, Jenn 1
RBI: EVERHART, Jenn 2
SH: WILLIAMS, Lauren 1
Base Running:
RUNS: BEALL, Michelle 1 ; KEEFE, Shannon 1
Game Leaders
AB
3
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
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AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
1
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
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