Liberty University
29-17, 12-5
Central Arkansas
33-8, 16-1
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| Central Arkansas | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | X | 1 | 4 | 0 |
Liberty Falls to No. 24 Central Arkansas 1-0 in Game 2 of Twin Bill
4/22/2023 7:29:52 PM | Softball
Central Arkansas scored an unearned run in the bottom of the sixth, making Kayla Beaver’s four-hit shutout hold up as the 24th-ranked Bears won 1-0 to sweep the doubleheader, Saturday at Farris Field.
The Bears earned the series victory, improving to 33-8 overall and 16-1 in ASUN play with their 14th consecutive victory. The Lady Flames (29-17, 12-5) fall to third place in ASUN standings with their pair of setbacks today.
Scoring Summary
UCA – 6th INNING – Engelkes reaches on error, Bare and Michael advance, Brown scores, 1-0
Notable Numbers
- Both teams managed just four hits, with the game’s lone error, committed by Liberty, proving costly. The Lady Flames turned their 19th double play of the season. UCA left six runners on base, while Liberty stranded four.
- Beaver (17-5) tossed her eighth shutout of the season, striking out seven against no walks. Named to the Top 25 Watch List for the USA Softball National Player of the Year, Beaver has not allowed an earned run since March 25.
- Karlie Keeney (20-8) drew the tough-luck loss, allowing one unearned run on four hits, walking four and striking out three.
- Morgan Nelson batted 2-for-3 for UCA, while Jaylee Engelkes batted 1-for-3 with a double. Mary Kate Brown went 1-for-3 and scored the game’s lone run.
- Four different Lady Flames had one hit each, with Devyn Howard leading off the game with a double. KK Madrey made six catches in left and one outfield assist. Her diving catch to end the first inning kept the game scoreless.
Turning Point
- Both teams staged two-out rallies in the sixth. The Lady Flames got runners on the corners after back-to-back singles by Caroline Hudson and Rachel Roupe. However, Beaver got out of the inning with a fielder’s choice grounder.
- Keeney got two quick outs in the home half of the sixth. Brown and Nelson singled, then a walk to Colleen Bare loaded the bases. Engelkes’ grounder got through shortstop Devyn Howard into left field, scoring Brown, but Madrey threw out Erin Michael at the plate to keep the score 1-0.
Beyond the Box Score
- Central Arkansas is 2-0 against the Lady Flames all-time.
- The Lady Flames are now 1-10 against Top 25 teams this season, as Liberty is in the midst of five straight games against nationally-ranked opponents. Liberty beat No. 13 Alabama on Tuesday and hosts Clemson next Wednesday.
- Liberty is 5-7 in one-run games this season, as today was the Lady Flames’ third one-run loss against a Top 25 team this season (also 1-0 against No. 1 Oklahoma and 3-2 at No. 2 UCLA).
- Madrey’s six catches in left field were the most outfield putouts by a Lady Flame since Rachel Roupe’s seven in right field on Feb. 16 against Ole Miss.
Up Next
The Lady Flames and Bears conclude this weekend’s series with a single game tomorrow at 11 a.m. Eastern Time.
Featured in photo: KK Madrey
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: BEAVER, Kayl (17-5)
L: Keeney, Karlie (20-8)
Batting:
2B: Howard, Devyn 1
Batting:
2B: ENGELKES, Ja 1
Base Running:
RUNS: BROWN, Mary 1
SB: YOUNG, Madi 1
