Saturday, March 13
Knoxville, Tenn.
10:00 AM
Liberty University
9-4
4
vs
1
Tennessee Tech
8-11
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Tech | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 |
| Liberty | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | X | 4 | 5 | 1 |
Strickland Homer Lifts Lady Flames
3/13/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Kelly Strickland ripped her fifth home run of the year, lifting the Lady Flames to a 4-1 win over Tennessee Tech, Saturday morning, in the Tennessee Invitational in Knoxville, Tenn.
The win marked Liberty's second victory over the Golden Eagles in three days, as the Lady Flames took a 6-2 decision in Cookeville, Tenn., on Thursday afternoon.
The Golden Eagles struck first, scoring an unearned run in the top of the first. Leadoff batter Melody Christian reached on a throwing error by catcher Ashley Bensinger, and advanced to third on a double by Lacie Coquerille. After Whitney Cummings popped out to shortstop, Christian crossed the plate when Callie Schmidt grounded out, and Tennessee Tech took a 1-0 lead.
Liberty answered with four runs in the bottom of the third, highlighted by a three-run homer by Kelly Strickland.
Danielle Howard led off with a walk, and on a pickoff attempt, catcher Schmidt's throw hit Howard's helmet and rolled into deep right field, allowing Howard to circle the bases and score.
Jenny Law followed with a double to left center, and Ashley Bensinger drew the second walk of the inning. That's when Strickland stepped up and hit a bomb over the 220-foot center field wall, giving Liberty a 4-1 advantage.
Law recorded her second hit of the game in the bottom of the second with a lined single to left following a Howard walk, and Bensinger drew another walk to load the bases. But relief pitcher Claudia Harke came up with two big strikeouts to strand the Liberty runners.
The bats of both teams stayed quiet for five straight innings, until J'nae Jefferson led off the bottom of the sixth with a single up the middle. One out later, Hendrix followed with another single up the middle. But the Tennessee Tech defense came up with two outs on the next grounder play, sending the game into the final inning.
Tennessee Tech put a runner on first in the top of the seventh when Jordan Leff reached on an infield single. But Smith came up with a timely strikeout, fanning Brooke Basten, and leadoff batter Christian flied out to center. Smith then sealed the 4-1 win by striking out Coquerille.
Strickland led the Lady Flames, batting 1-for-3 with three RBIs, while Law was 2-for-3 with a run scored.
The Golden Eagles were led by Schmidt, who was 1-for-3 and drove in the team's lone run.
Smith picked up the win in the circle, improving to 5-2 on the year, while Schmissrauter drops to 3-3. Smith fanned seven batters and only gave up one hit in four complete innings, while Schmissrauter gave up three hits and struck out none in 1 and 1/3 innings of work.
The Lady Flames improve to 9-4 on the year, while the Golden Eagles drop to 8-11.
Liberty continues play in the 2010 Tennessee Invitational this afternoon, taking on the Campbell Camels at 3 p.m.
The win marked Liberty's second victory over the Golden Eagles in three days, as the Lady Flames took a 6-2 decision in Cookeville, Tenn., on Thursday afternoon.
The Golden Eagles struck first, scoring an unearned run in the top of the first. Leadoff batter Melody Christian reached on a throwing error by catcher Ashley Bensinger, and advanced to third on a double by Lacie Coquerille. After Whitney Cummings popped out to shortstop, Christian crossed the plate when Callie Schmidt grounded out, and Tennessee Tech took a 1-0 lead.
Liberty answered with four runs in the bottom of the third, highlighted by a three-run homer by Kelly Strickland.
Danielle Howard led off with a walk, and on a pickoff attempt, catcher Schmidt's throw hit Howard's helmet and rolled into deep right field, allowing Howard to circle the bases and score.
Jenny Law followed with a double to left center, and Ashley Bensinger drew the second walk of the inning. That's when Strickland stepped up and hit a bomb over the 220-foot center field wall, giving Liberty a 4-1 advantage.
Law recorded her second hit of the game in the bottom of the second with a lined single to left following a Howard walk, and Bensinger drew another walk to load the bases. But relief pitcher Claudia Harke came up with two big strikeouts to strand the Liberty runners.
The bats of both teams stayed quiet for five straight innings, until J'nae Jefferson led off the bottom of the sixth with a single up the middle. One out later, Hendrix followed with another single up the middle. But the Tennessee Tech defense came up with two outs on the next grounder play, sending the game into the final inning.
Tennessee Tech put a runner on first in the top of the seventh when Jordan Leff reached on an infield single. But Smith came up with a timely strikeout, fanning Brooke Basten, and leadoff batter Christian flied out to center. Smith then sealed the 4-1 win by striking out Coquerille.
Strickland led the Lady Flames, batting 1-for-3 with three RBIs, while Law was 2-for-3 with a run scored.
The Golden Eagles were led by Schmidt, who was 1-for-3 and drove in the team's lone run.
Smith picked up the win in the circle, improving to 5-2 on the year, while Schmissrauter drops to 3-3. Smith fanned seven batters and only gave up one hit in four complete innings, while Schmissrauter gave up three hits and struck out none in 1 and 1/3 innings of work.
The Lady Flames improve to 9-4 on the year, while the Golden Eagles drop to 8-11.
Liberty continues play in the 2010 Tennessee Invitational this afternoon, taking on the Campbell Camels at 3 p.m.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Smith, Tiffani (5-2)
L: SCHMISSRAUTER, Maddi (3-3)
Batting:
2B: COQUERILLE, Lacie 1
RBI: SCHMIDT, Callie 1
Base Running:
RUNS: CHRISTIAN, Melody 1
Batting:
2B: Law, Jenny 1
HR: Strickland, Kelly 1
RBI: Strickland, Kelly 3
Base Running:
RUNS: Howard, Danielle 1 ; Law, Jenny 1 ; Bensinger, Ashley 1 ; Strickland, Kelly 1
CS: Baisden, Meredith 1
HBP: West, Kaylee 1
Game Leaders
AB
3
R
1
H
1
RBI
3
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
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