Lady Flames Welcome UNC for Midweek Matchup
4/16/2024 1:55:00 PM | Softball
Liberty (26-16, 15-3 Conference USA) brings a six-game winning streak into this week, as the Lady Flames host North Carolina (27-14, 8-10 ACC), Wednesday at 4 p.m.
Game Coverage
North Carolina boasts the fifth-highest batting average in the nation (.357), while ranking 12th nationally with 84 stolen bases. The Tar Heels also have four players batting .400 or better, in Alex Coleman (.478), Sanaa Thompson (.417), Abby Settlemyre (.412) and Destiny Middleton (.405).
Liberty and North Carolina have met each of the last two years, with the visiting team winning both times. The Lady Flames are 18-10 all-time against ACC opponents at Liberty Softball Stadium.
On Monday, Liberty's Elena Escobar was named CUSA Pitcher of the Week, while Kaylan Yoder was named CUSA Freshman of the Week. Escobar (2-0, 0.58 ERA, 17 K's, 12 IP) and Yoder (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 7 K's, 6 IP) both played key roles in the circle during the Lady Flames 3-0 sweep at MTSU.
Liberty defeated No. 24 Virginia 1-0, last Tuesday in Charlottesville, Va., as freshman Katie Love pitched a six-hit shutout. The Lady Flames have three wins over Top 25 teams this season and maintain the No. 1 non-conference strength of schedule among all NCAA Division I softball programs.
The Lady Flames then swept Middle Tennessee last weekend in Murfreesboro. Hailey Deter went 3-for-3 during an 8-1 win on Friday, before Megan Fortner and Raigan Barrett both homered in a 5-1 victory, Saturday. Liberty downed MTSU 4-3 in nine innings, with Elena Escobar earning the win in relief and Fortner hitting a go-ahead solo homer in the top of the ninth. Brooke Roberts went 3-for-3 in game three.
Liberty has been stingy at home this year, outscoring opponents 73-23 in 17 home contests. The Lady Flames have a 0.93 ERA at home, with seven shutouts and five additional games allowing just one run.
For the season, Rachel Roupe (.341) is second in CUSA in doubles (14) and fourth in both OPS (1.118) and runs scored (28). Raigan Barrett has raised her average to .300, while KK Madrey (.280) is ranked third in the CUSA with 15 steals. Hailey Deter (.284) is second on the team with eight doubles, while Mary Claire Wilson (.271) has scored 25 runs. Sierra Kersten (.255) leads the team in RBI (26), while Megan Fortner (.254) is tied for third in the conference with 10 homers.
Kaylan Yoder (9-6, 2.09 ERA) leads Conference USA in ERA, opponents' batting average (.194) and strikeouts (97). Katie Love (6-3, 3.60) pitched a no-hitter against Jacksonville State on March 16 and tossed her third shutout of the season, last Tuesday at No. 24 Virginia. Elena Escobar (8-2, 2.12 ERA) is ranked second in the conference in ERA and is 4-0 with a 0.40 ERA in her last four appearances.
Game Coverage
- Liberty vs. North Carolina (Kamphuis Field at Liberty Softball Stadium)
- First pitch: Wednesday at 4 p.m.
- TV: ESPN+
- Radio: LFSN Radio
- Live Stats: StatBroadcast
North Carolina boasts the fifth-highest batting average in the nation (.357), while ranking 12th nationally with 84 stolen bases. The Tar Heels also have four players batting .400 or better, in Alex Coleman (.478), Sanaa Thompson (.417), Abby Settlemyre (.412) and Destiny Middleton (.405).
Liberty and North Carolina have met each of the last two years, with the visiting team winning both times. The Lady Flames are 18-10 all-time against ACC opponents at Liberty Softball Stadium.
On Monday, Liberty's Elena Escobar was named CUSA Pitcher of the Week, while Kaylan Yoder was named CUSA Freshman of the Week. Escobar (2-0, 0.58 ERA, 17 K's, 12 IP) and Yoder (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 7 K's, 6 IP) both played key roles in the circle during the Lady Flames 3-0 sweep at MTSU.
Liberty defeated No. 24 Virginia 1-0, last Tuesday in Charlottesville, Va., as freshman Katie Love pitched a six-hit shutout. The Lady Flames have three wins over Top 25 teams this season and maintain the No. 1 non-conference strength of schedule among all NCAA Division I softball programs.
The Lady Flames then swept Middle Tennessee last weekend in Murfreesboro. Hailey Deter went 3-for-3 during an 8-1 win on Friday, before Megan Fortner and Raigan Barrett both homered in a 5-1 victory, Saturday. Liberty downed MTSU 4-3 in nine innings, with Elena Escobar earning the win in relief and Fortner hitting a go-ahead solo homer in the top of the ninth. Brooke Roberts went 3-for-3 in game three.
Liberty has been stingy at home this year, outscoring opponents 73-23 in 17 home contests. The Lady Flames have a 0.93 ERA at home, with seven shutouts and five additional games allowing just one run.
For the season, Rachel Roupe (.341) is second in CUSA in doubles (14) and fourth in both OPS (1.118) and runs scored (28). Raigan Barrett has raised her average to .300, while KK Madrey (.280) is ranked third in the CUSA with 15 steals. Hailey Deter (.284) is second on the team with eight doubles, while Mary Claire Wilson (.271) has scored 25 runs. Sierra Kersten (.255) leads the team in RBI (26), while Megan Fortner (.254) is tied for third in the conference with 10 homers.
Kaylan Yoder (9-6, 2.09 ERA) leads Conference USA in ERA, opponents' batting average (.194) and strikeouts (97). Katie Love (6-3, 3.60) pitched a no-hitter against Jacksonville State on March 16 and tossed her third shutout of the season, last Tuesday at No. 24 Virginia. Elena Escobar (8-2, 2.12 ERA) is ranked second in the conference in ERA and is 4-0 with a 0.40 ERA in her last four appearances.
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