Liberty University
32-11
Hampton
18-32
Liberty Sets New Program Record with Win
4/21/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
The Lady Flames completed the sweep of Hampton with an 8-3 victory in Game 2, Tuesday afternoon, and set a new record for the longest winning streak in program history with 12 wins in a row.
The previous record, held by the 1986 and 1997 squads, was 11 consecutive wins.
The Lady Flames took a quick 2-0 lead as Kelly Strickland ripped her 14th homer of the year to score herself and J'nae Jefferson, in the top of the first.
Hampton answered with a two-run homer of its own in the bottom of the first, when Rebecca Meggett hit a shot to left, and tying the ball game at 2-2.
The Lady Flames regained the lead in the top of the second, as Liberty batted all the way through the lineup. With one out, Meredith Baisden doubled up the middle, then advanced to third on a wild pitch. With two outs, Jenny Law singled to bring in Baisden, and moved to second on a wild pitch.
Howard and Jefferson walked to load the bases, and Cassie Hendrix drew the third consecutive base on balls to bring in another run, giving Liberty a 5-2 advantage.
Tamara Vickers led off the bottom of the third with an infield single, and was safe at second on a fielder's choice by Megett. On a Kelsei Saunders grounder to shortstop, Strickland threw out Vickers at third for the first out. Sharde Estep then popped out to second and Jada Jeffries struck out swinging to end the inning.
Hampton added a run in the bottom of the fourth. With one out, Travonna Byrd singled to right field, then advanced to second when the ball got away from Jenny Law, and moved onto third on a wild pitch. After Carla Trimble grounded out to the pitcher, Nina Ferguson singled through the left side to score Byrd, pushing the score to 5-3.
Liberty pinch hitter Lauren Trentham drew a one-out walk in the top of the fifth, then, with two outs, scored from first when Keely McMillon singled up the middle, and center fielder Vickers dropped the ball before attempting to throw home. The run marked Trentham's first as a Lady Flame.
Liberty picked up another run in the top of the sixth, as Howard led off with a solo homer to left field. Jefferson followed up with a double to left, and moved to third on a wild pitch. Jefferson then scored on another wild pitch, giving Liberty an 8-3 lead.
Neither squad could muster any more runs in the contest, and Liberty walked away with the victory to complete the sweep.
Jefferson was 2-for-3 at the plate for Liberty, while Strickland drove in three runs.
Maggett led the Lady Pirates batting 1-for-4 with two RBIs.
Kat Johnson picked up the win to improve to 6-2, giving up seven hits and tallying eight strikeouts in the complete-game appearance. Byrd took the loss, giving up eight hits and seven earned runs, and striking out five.
The Lady Flames are back in action this weekend, hosting the Longwood Lancers in another non-conference doubleheader. First pitch of Game 1 is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Johnson, Katrina (6-2)
L: Travonna Byrd (6-14)
Batting:
2B: Jefferson, J'nae 1 ; Baisden, Meredith 1
HR: Howard, Danielle 1 ; Strickland, Kelly 1
RBI: Howard, Danielle 1 ; Hendrix, Cassie 1 ; Strickland, Kelly 3 ; McMillon, Keely 1 ; Law, Jenny 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Howard, Danielle 2 ; Jefferson, J'nae 1 ; Hendrix, Cassie 1 ; Strickland, Kelly 1 ; Trentham, Lauren 1 ; Baisden, Meredith 1 ; Law, Jenny 1
SB: Joseph, Elizabeth 1
HBP: Strickland, Kelly 1
Batting:
2B: Travonna Byrd 1
HR: Rebecca Magett 1
RBI: Nina Ferguson 1 ; Rebecca Magett 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Nina Ferguson 1 ; Rebecca Magett 1 ; Travonna Byrd 1
SB: Travonna Byrd 1
