Liberty Set to Compete at Louisville, Wednesday
3/29/2022 3:03:44 PM | Softball
Liberty (21-12, 6-0 ASUN), riding a seven-game winning streak, heads to Louisville, Ky., for its next four games, beginning with a 6 p.m. game at Louisville (18-12, 2-4 ACC), Wednesday. The Lady Flames will then play a three-game series at Bellarmine on Friday and Saturday. Liberty has swept Eastern Kentucky and North Alabama, around a midweek win at Virginia, while Louisville has gone 1-2 in both of its ACC series so far (home vs. Georgia Tech and at Clemson).
Wednesday, March 30
Ulmer Stadium
Louisville, Ky.
Liberty at Louisville – 6 p.m. Live Video (ACC Network Xtra) | Live Stats
Louisville’s top offensive threat is 2021 NFCA All-Region first-teamer Carmyn Greenwood, who is ranked in the top 20 nationally in doubles (12), runs per game (1.07) and total bases (85). Louisville is 2-6 against Top 25 opponents this season, including wins over Arkansas and Clemson, while Liberty is 1-7 versus nationally-ranked opponents, with a win over No. 23 Notre Dame.
Liberty is 3-3 against ACC opponents this season after a 6-1 win at Virginia last Tuesday. The Lady Flames also have home wins over Virginia (6-2) and Notre Dame (6-3) this year, fell twice at Clemson in a pair of eight-inning games and lost 3-2 to North Caroline on March 16.
The Lady Flames swept North Alabama on the weekend, outscoring the Lions 16-5. Liberty came from behind in game one, 4-2, before scoring six first-inning runs in game two and building a 6-1 lead in the series finale, a 6-3 victory.
Karlie Keeney went 3-0 last week with a 0.00 ERA, earning relief wins at Virginia and against North Alabama and pitching a five-hit shutout on Saturday versus UNA.
Rachel Roupe leads the ASUN with 13 RBI in six conference games so far, hitting her second grand slam of ASUN play, last Saturday. Mary Claire Wilson leads the ASUN with a .563 batting average in conference play and has batted a team-best .500 during Liberty’s seven-game winning streak. Devyn Howard carries a team-best eight-game hitting streak into this week.
The Lady Flames have gone a perfect 14-0 when scoring in the first inning this season and 18-0 when scoring first. Liberty has scored 40 first-inning runs and 40 second-inning runs this year, showing the ability to jump out to early leads.
The Lady Flames have posted a 2.48 ERA and seven shutouts this year, ranking second in the ASUN in ERA. Karlie Keeney, a 2021 ASUN All-Conference second team pitcher, is 11-6 with a 2.36 ERA and three shutouts. Sophomore McKenzie Wagoner (4-3, 2.31) earned two wins during the ASUN-opening weekend at EKU. 2021 ASUN Pitcher of the Year Emily Kirby is 3-3 with a 3.00 ERA and has struck out 23 batters combined over her last two starts.
Liberty has hit an ASUN-leading 28 home runs. Devyn Howard leads Liberty with a .388 batting average, .622 slugging percentage and 29 runs scored. Mary Claire Wilson has raised her average to .304, while ASUN Preseason Player of the Year Kara Canetto bats .295 with a team-leading seven steals. Alexis Soto (.288) and 2021 Big Ten first-teamer Lou Allan (.284) provide pop in the middle of the order. Caroline Hudson (.279) is tied for third in the ASUN with seven homers and fourth with 25 RBI. Denay Griffin (.275) has a .486 on base percentage and an ASUN-leading 21 walks, while Rachel Roupe (.256) has three homers, all in ASUN play.
