Liberty University
Ball State
11-Run 2nd Sparks Liberty's 11th Win in Row, 13-0 Over Ball State
3/9/2023 9:29:26 PM | Softball
Liberty erupted for 11 runs during the second inning on Thursday, sparking a 13-0, five-inning win over Ball State at Kamphuis Field at Liberty Softball Stadium.
The Lady Flames improve to 12-9 on the season with their 11th straight win, going 11-0 so far on the team’s program-record long 13-game homestand which ends on Sunday. Ball State sees its record go to an even 9-9, alternating wins and losses over its last eight games played.
Scoring Summary
Liberty – 2nd INNING – Craine doubles to left, Woodard advances, Wilson and Fortner score, 2-0
Liberty – 2nd INNING – Howard walks, Madrey and Craine advance, Woodard scores, 3-0
Liberty – 2nd INNING – Roupe reaches on error, Hudson advances, Howard and Madrey score, 5-0
Liberty – 2nd INNING – McManus singles to center, Roupe and Hudson score, 7-0
Liberty – 2nd INNING – Woodard hits grand slam, Wilson, Fortner and McManus score, 11-0
Liberty – 4th INNING – Craine doubles to left center, Woddard and Tuck score, 13-0
Notable Numbers
- Liberty outhit Ball State 9-3, with the Cardinals committing one error. The visitors left six on base compared to just three stranded for the Lady Flames.
- Karlie Keeney (8-5) tossed her third shutout of the season, allowing just three hits while walking three and fanning four.
- 2022 MAC Freshman Pitcher of the Year Angelina Russo (4-3) yielded 10 runs (nine earned) on six hits, walking five in just 1 1/3 innings pitched. Francys King allowed three runs in 2 2/3 innings of relief.
- Savannah Woodard went 2-for-2 with her first homer as a Lady Flame, a grand slam, four RBI, and three runs scored. Rachel Craine batted 2-for-3 with two doubles and tied her career high with four RBI. Megan Fortner went 2-for-2 with two runs scored, while Brynn McManus went 1-for-2 with two RBI and one run scored.
- Ball State’s Amaia Daniel went 2-for-3 with one double, the lone Cardinal to record multiple hits.
Turning Point
- The Lady Flames scored 11 runs on six hits in the second inning, with Ball State committing one error. Craine got the scoring going with a base-loaded two-run double, and Woodard’s grand slam capped the 11-run inning.
Beyond the Box Score
- Liberty leads the all-time series against Ball State 2-0. The only previous meeting was a 2-1 Liberty win over Ball State in five innings, Feb. 25, 2017, as the Cardinals’ travel schedule necessitated that the game end by a certain time.
- The Lady Flames are now 11-0 at home this season, outscoring opponents 91-25 at Liberty Softball Stadium.
- Liberty’s 11-run second inning was its highest-scoring frame since scoring 11 runs during the first inning of a 19-3 win over Longwood on March 6, 2021.
- That same exact date, March 6, 2021, Savannah Woodard hit her first career grand slam, playing for Alabama against UNI. Woodard’s grand slam tonight was the second of her career.
- After hitting five grand slams all of last season, Liberty has already launched four grand slams in 2023. The program single-season record for grand slams is five, in 2005, 2007, 2011 and 2022.
- Keeney is now in sole possession of fifth all-time in program history with 15 career strikeouts, and needs one more win to become the first pitcher all-time at Liberty to record 50 or more career victories.
- Tonight was Liberty’s sixth run-rule win of the season and fifth on its current homestand.
Up Next
After a day off tomorrow, Liberty takes on Fairfield at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday at Liberty Softball Stadium.
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