Friday, April 24
Lynchburg, Va.
2:00 PM
Liberty University
17-30, 0
3
vs
1
Presbyterian
18-25, 0
1st innning1
2nd innning2
3rd innning3
4th innning4
5th innning5
6th innning6
7th innning7
RunsR
HitsH
ErrorsE
Presbyterian
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
4
1
Liberty
1
0
0
0
2
0
X
3
5
0
Smith Etches New Mark in Big South Victory
4/24/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Tiffani Smith set a new school record, striking out 16 batters to lead Liberty to a 3-1 victory over Presbyterian, Friday afternoon, in Game 1 of a doubleheader at Liberty Softball Field.
The previous record for most strikeouts in a game was 15 by Ali Thompson, and had been in place since March 3, 2001, when the right-hander set the previous mark against Hampton.
The Lady Flames struck first, putting a run on the board to take a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Leadoff batter Cassie Hendrix drew a walk, and then stole second for her team-leading eighth stolen base of the year.
After J'nae Jefferson struck out and Beth Bennett grounded out to second base, Amber DePasquale singled through the right side, and Hendrix moved to third.
On the next play, with Keely McMillon up to bat, DePasquale stole second, and the Blue Hose shortstop tried to throw out Hendrix at home. But the throw sailed over the catcher's head, as Hendrix crossed the plate and DePasquale advanced to third on the throwing error.
Smith started out solid in the circle for the Lady Flames, striking out eight of the first nine batters, while the sophomore took care of the game's first 13 outs by recording 13 of her 16 strikeouts through the first five innings.
Despite Smith's dominance in the circle, one mistake pitch by the righty allowed the visitors to tie the game in the top of the fourth, when Brittany Howell homered over the right field fence.
Liberty regained a lead in the bottom of the fifth, tacking two more runs on the board. Jenna Eatmon led off with a triple to right field, and scored two plays later when Jefferson singled through the left side.
Jefferson moved to second when DePasquale grounded out, and continued home when Bennett ripped a two-out single to center field, giving the Lady Flames a 3-1 lead.
The Blue Hose's offense could not muster any momentum in their final two at-bats, and Liberty held on to win the game, 3-1.
Jefferson led the Lady Flames, batting 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Bennett was also 1-for-3 and drove in a run, while Eatmon batted 1-for-2 with a run scored.
Howell paced the Blue Hose, batting 3-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.
Smith (8-11) picked up the win, scattering four hits and striking out 16 batters for the new Liberty record in her 13th complete game of the year.
Mary Gordon (6-16) took the loss, giving up five hits and striking out four batters in five innings of work.
The Lady Flames improve to 17-30 overall and 5-7 in conference play, while the Blue Hose fall to 18-25 overall and 5-11 in the Big South.
The two squads will meet again this afternoon for Game 2 of the scheduled Big South doubleheader.
The previous record for most strikeouts in a game was 15 by Ali Thompson, and had been in place since March 3, 2001, when the right-hander set the previous mark against Hampton.
The Lady Flames struck first, putting a run on the board to take a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Leadoff batter Cassie Hendrix drew a walk, and then stole second for her team-leading eighth stolen base of the year.
After J'nae Jefferson struck out and Beth Bennett grounded out to second base, Amber DePasquale singled through the right side, and Hendrix moved to third.
On the next play, with Keely McMillon up to bat, DePasquale stole second, and the Blue Hose shortstop tried to throw out Hendrix at home. But the throw sailed over the catcher's head, as Hendrix crossed the plate and DePasquale advanced to third on the throwing error.
Smith started out solid in the circle for the Lady Flames, striking out eight of the first nine batters, while the sophomore took care of the game's first 13 outs by recording 13 of her 16 strikeouts through the first five innings.
Despite Smith's dominance in the circle, one mistake pitch by the righty allowed the visitors to tie the game in the top of the fourth, when Brittany Howell homered over the right field fence.
Liberty regained a lead in the bottom of the fifth, tacking two more runs on the board. Jenna Eatmon led off with a triple to right field, and scored two plays later when Jefferson singled through the left side.
Jefferson moved to second when DePasquale grounded out, and continued home when Bennett ripped a two-out single to center field, giving the Lady Flames a 3-1 lead.
The Blue Hose's offense could not muster any momentum in their final two at-bats, and Liberty held on to win the game, 3-1.
Jefferson led the Lady Flames, batting 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Bennett was also 1-for-3 and drove in a run, while Eatmon batted 1-for-2 with a run scored.
Howell paced the Blue Hose, batting 3-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.
Smith (8-11) picked up the win, scattering four hits and striking out 16 batters for the new Liberty record in her 13th complete game of the year.
Mary Gordon (6-16) took the loss, giving up five hits and striking out four batters in five innings of work.
The Lady Flames improve to 17-30 overall and 5-7 in conference play, while the Blue Hose fall to 18-25 overall and 5-11 in the Big South.
The two squads will meet again this afternoon for Game 2 of the scheduled Big South doubleheader.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Smith, Tiffani (8-11)
L: GORDON, Mary (6-16)
Batting:
HR: HOWELL, Brittany 1
RBI: HOWELL, Brittany 1
Base Running:
RUNS: HOWELL, Brittany 1
Batting:
3B: Eatmon, Jenna 1
RBI: Jefferson, J'nae 1 ; Bennett, Beth 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Hendrix, Cassie 1 ; Jefferson, J'nae 1 ; Eatmon, Jenna 1
SB: Hendrix, Cassie 2 ; DePasquale, Amber 1 ; Pittman, Jennifer 1
CS: Hendrix, Cassie 1
Game Leaders
AB
3
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
1
H
1
RBI
1
AB
2
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
1
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