Flames News

Early Liberty Mistakes Set Up Victory for JMU

Sarah Ellis struck out three batters and gave up no earned runs as Liberty fell to JMU, 4-1.

The Lady Flames were looking for their first four-game winning streak of 2009, but the Lady Dukes of James Madison kept that from happening Wednesday, defeating Liberty, 4-1, in Game 1 of a doubleheader on a windy afternoon in Harrisonburg, Va.

The Lady Flames defense got off to a rough start in the first, committing four errors in the field. The Dukes took advantage of the costly mistakes, scoring four runs to take an early lead, and never looked back.

Keely McMillon extended her hitting streak to six games, a team best, when she led off the top of the third with a double down the left field line. Kelly Strickland then brought her home with a single up the middle, putting Liberty on the board, 4-1.

The Lady Flames recorded two more hits in the top of the fourth, starting with a single up the middle from designated player Ashley Bensinger. But Bensinger's time as a base runner was short-lived, as she was forced out at second on the next play when Kaylee West reached on a fielder's choice. Amber DePasquale singled to right center with two outs, advancing West to third, then stole second. But the runners stayed put as McMillon popped up to second.

The Dukes' next turn at bat brought a similar outcome, as Shannon Moxey and Courtney Simons logged base hits, but could not cross the plate, leaving the score at 4-1 after four complete.

The offense for both teams stalled after that. Bensinger reached on an error by right-fielder Simons in the sixth inning and was able to advance to second on the play, but the Lady Flames could not bring her home.

DePasquale delivered a last-ditch effort for Liberty in the top of the seventh when she belted a double to right center to start off the inning. After Strickland tapped a short infield single to put runners on first and second with one out, James Madison pitcher Jenny Clohan turned up the heat, striking out Jenny Law and Danielle Howard to end the game.

Despite the loss, the Lady Flames kept their solid hitting streak alive. Liberty has now recorded an extra base hit in the last seven games, and 13 of the last 14 games.

Strickland led the Lady Flames, batting 2-for-3 and driving in Liberty's lone run of the game. DePasquale also batted 2-for-3.
For James Madison, Moxey and Simons each batted 2-for-3 with a run scored.

Liberty pitcher Sarah Ellis (8-15), coming off a 3-0 weekend with three straight victories over Charleston Southern, took the loss in the circle. She scattered six hits and gave up no earned runs, while striking out three batters in six innings.

Clohan (12-6) picked up the win, giving up six hits and striking out four batters in the complete game effort.

With the loss, Liberty's winning streak was snapped and they drop to 14-22 on the year. The Dukes improve to 21-11.

The two teams will face off in Game 2 of today's doubleheader this afternoon at the JMU Softball Complex.