Sunday, April 21
Lynchburg, Va.
11:00 AM ET
Liberty University
28-18, 17-4
4
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New Mexico State
26-19, 11-7
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E
New Mexico State
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6
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Liberty
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X
4
6
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Lady Flames Rally to Defeat NM State 4-3 to Clinch Series
4/21/2024 2:50:00 PM | Softball
LYNCHBURG, Va. - Liberty scored three times in the sixth to take a 4-3 lead and then ended the game with a highlight-reel double play from KK Madrey, Sunday at Kamphuis Field at Liberty Softball Stadium.
With the win, Liberty claims the series, 2-1. The Lady Flames (28-18) remain on top of Conference USA standings at 17-4. Meanwhile, New Mexico State falls to 26-19, 11-7 in conference play.
Scoring Summary
Liberty – 2nd INNING – Wilson singles up the middle, Jessee scores, 1-0
NM State – 5th INNING – Patmon singles, bunt, Taylor advances, Carreon scores, 1-1
NM State – 5th INNING – Elam doubles to left, Patmon and Taylor score, 3-1
Liberty – 6th INNING – Roberts homers to right center, Fortner scores, 3-3
Liberty – 6th INNING – Kersten singles up the middle, Heidorn scores, 4-3
Turning Point
The Lady Flames play each of their next four games on the road, beginning on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Longwood.
With the win, Liberty claims the series, 2-1. The Lady Flames (28-18) remain on top of Conference USA standings at 17-4. Meanwhile, New Mexico State falls to 26-19, 11-7 in conference play.
Scoring Summary
Liberty – 2nd INNING – Wilson singles up the middle, Jessee scores, 1-0
NM State – 5th INNING – Patmon singles, bunt, Taylor advances, Carreon scores, 1-1
NM State – 5th INNING – Elam doubles to left, Patmon and Taylor score, 3-1
Liberty – 6th INNING – Roberts homers to right center, Fortner scores, 3-3
Liberty – 6th INNING – Kersten singles up the middle, Heidorn scores, 4-3
Turning Point
- New Mexico State took a 3-1 lead with a three-run fifth inning. After tying the game on a squeeze bunt, the Aggies went ahead on a one-out, two-run double by Devin Elam. However, Kayla Lunar then popped in to a 1-6 double play to end the rally.
- The Lady Flames rallied in the bottom of the sixth. Megan Fortner hit an infield single to lead off. After two outs, Brooke Roberts tied the game with a two-run home run. NM State then put in relief pitcher Jaileen Mancha, who gave up a double to Savannah Jessee. After a wild pitch, Aggie starting pitcher Emily Dix reentered the game. Liberty pinch hitter Sierra Kersten drove in pinch runner Lilly Heidorn with the go-ahead run.
- With one on and one out in the top of the seventh, NM State's top home run hitter, Desirae Spearman, lined one into left center. However, Liberty's KK Madrey made a diving catch before alertly throwing to first from her knees for the game-ending double play.
- Both teams recorded six hits for the game, while Liberty turned two double plays.
- Liberty's Elena Escobar improved to 9-2 on the season with the win, allowing three runs on six hits, walking one and fanning four.
- New Mexico State reliever Jaileen Mancha (11-6) drew the loss, allowing the winning run to reach base while not recording an out. Emily Dix pitched six total innings, allowing three runs on five hits, walking four and striking out three.
- Savannah Jessee went 2-for-3 with two doubles and one run scored, while Brooke Roberts batted 1-for-3, hitting her third homer, driving in two runs and scoring once. Seniors Sierra Kersten, Megan Fortner and Mary Claire Wilson had one hit each.
- For New Mexico State, Devin Elam went 1-for-3 with a double and two RBI, while Dezianna Patmon batted 1-for-1 with one RBI and one run scored. Jayleen Burton and Jessica Carreon both doubled for the Aggies.
- Liberty leads the all-time series over NM State 4-2, as these two teams met for the first time since 2021.
- Roupe tied a program record, reaching base safely in 11 straight plate appearances over a span of four games before flying out in the second inning. She ties teammate Rachel Craine, who reached base in 11 consecutive plate appearances, March 28 through April 1, 2023.
- The Lady Flames have won all seven of their Conference USA series so far this season.
- This was the second time this year in which the Lady Flames faced a decisive third game after splitting the first two contests. Liberty earned come-from-behind wins to beat both WKU (7-5, April 7) and NM State (4-3) to take game three and a 2-1 series victory.
- Liberty is now 9-4 in one-run games this season after an 8-7, 10-inning victory on Friday and today's 4-3 win.
- Roberts hit her first home run since Feb. 25 against Morgan State.
- Jessee recorded her third career two-hit game and first career two-double contest.
- Madrey appeared on SC Top 10 for a diving catch on Wednesday against North Carolina. Her game-ending double play today is a strong contender to appear tonight.
The Lady Flames play each of their next four games on the road, beginning on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Longwood.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Escobar, Elena (9-2)
L: MANCHA,Jaileen (11-6)
Batting:
2B: ELAM,Devin 1 ; BURTON,Jayleen 1 ; CARREON,Jessica 1
RBI: PATMON,Dezianna 1 ; ELAM,Devin 2
SH: PATMON,Dezianna 1
Base Running:
RUNS: TAYLOR,Jillian 1 ; PATMON,Dezianna 1 ; CARREON,Jessica 1
SB: TAYLOR,Jillian 1 ; PATMON,Dezianna 1
HBP: TAYLOR,Jillian 2 ; SPEARMAN,Desirae 1
Batting:
2B: Jessee, Savannah 2
HR: Roberts, Brooke 1
RBI: Wilson, Mary Claire 1 ; Roberts, Brooke 2 ; Kersten, Sierra 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Fortner, Megan 1 ; Roberts, Brooke 1 ; Jessee, Savannah 1 ; Heidorn, Lilly 1
Game Leaders
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
4
R
0
H
1
RBI
1
AB
2
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
1
H
1
RBI
2
Players Mentioned
INF
/ Softball
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INF
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C
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INF
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OF
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