Lady Flames Edge Coastal in Extra Innings

Thanks to a base hit by Meredith Baisden in the bottom of the eighth inning, the Lady Flames edged the Chanticleers of Coastal Carolina, 3-2, Friday afternoon, in Game 2 of a doubleheader.

With the win, Liberty completed the sweep on the day, as the Lady Flames claimed Game 1 by a 2-0 score.

The 2010 Lady Flames have amassed 36 overall wins, which ties for the third-most wins in Liberty history, and the most wins since 2007.

The Chanticleers took a quick 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Ashley Pisone led off with a walk, and moved to second on a wild pitch. She then advanced to third when Sarah Maples laid down a sacrifice bunt, and crossed the plate when Jazmin Daigle grounded out to shortstop.

The Lady Flames immediately tied it up, scoring a run in the bottom of the first. J'nae Jefferson led off with a single up the middle, and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jenny Law. Kelly Strickland reached on a fielding error by Coastal Carolina shortstop Daigle, allowing Jefferson to move to third. After Ashley Bensinger walked, Kaylee West hit a sacrifice fly to center field, giving Jefferson time to score and tie up the game, 1-1.

The Chanticleers recorded two hits in the top of the fourth with one out, as Cacia Pierre and Michelle Evans hit back-to-back singles. But Alyssa Tornatore popped out to shortstop, and Olivia Piccirillo struck out swinging to keep the game tied.

Kaylee West led off the bottom of the fourth by ripping a single to left, and moved to second when Keely McMillon laid down a successful sacrifice bunt. Baisden singled with a blooper to short left center field to put runners on first and second. Amber DePasquale reached on a fielder's choice to the shortstop, but Baisden was forced out at second on the play, and Hendrix was out on a fly ball to center field for the third out.

The Lady Flames were able to take a one-run lead in the bottom of the fifth. Jefferson singled through the left side to start things off, and advanced to second on a passed ball. With two outs, she scored from second when Bensinger singled to the gap in left center and advanced to second on the throw, putting Liberty ahead, 2-1.

The Chanticleers tied it up, 2-2, in the top of the sixth. Daigle drew a walk, then advanced to second a sacrifice bunt by Stacy Snellings. Pierre then singled to right field, and Daigle scored from second on a fielding error by right fielder Law.

Coastal Carolina put a runner in scoring position in the top of the seventh, and with two outs, Snellings singled through the left side, and Ballard attempted to score from second on the play. But Baisden came up with a big throw, tossing Ballard out at the plate to keep the game tied, 2-2, moving into the bottom of the seventh.

Hendrix led off the bottom of the seventh with a single through the right side, and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jefferson. Law then reached on a fielding error by Daigle at shortstop. But Hendrix was forced out at third on the next play, a fielder's choice on a grounder by Strickland. Bensinger then walked to load the bases with two outs, but West grounded into another fielder's choice, sending the game into extra innings.

After holding the Chanticleers in the top of the eighth, McMillon led off the bottom of the frame with a sacrifice bunt, moving pinch runner Danielle Howard to third. Baisden then hit a line drive that bounced off the pitcher, allowing Howard to score and lock up the 3-2 Liberty win.

With the victory, Liberty improves to 36-16 overall and 12-5 in conference play, while the Chanticleers drop to 25-28 overall and 6-11 in the Big South.

Baisden was 2-for-4 with an RBI, while Jefferson batted 2-for-3 with two runs scored.

Coastal Carolina was led by Pierre, who was 2-for-4 at the plate, and Daigle drove in one run.

Kat Johnson (10-4) picked up her second win of the day, giving up no hits in one complete innings. Starter Tiffani Smith gave up seven hits and struck out two batters in seven complete innings of work.

Katelin Edwards (11-10) took the loss, giving up seven hits and recording four strikeouts.

The Lady Flames and the Chanticleers will face off for the final game of the three-game series tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m. The game also concludes the 2010 regular season for both teams.

Schedule

Lady Flames Edge Coastal in Extra Innings

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Team Stats

J'nae Jefferson

Meredith Baisden

Ashley Bensinger

Kaylee West