Saturday, May 2
Conway, S.C.
1:00 PM
Liberty University
21-33, 0
8
at
3
Coastal Carolina
15-35, 0
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 8 | 1 |
| Coastal Carolina | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 0 |
Liberty Dominates Chanticleers in 8-3 Win
5/2/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Kelly Strickland had her second straight two-homer performance as the Lady Flames defeated Coastal Carolina, 8-3, in Game 1 of a Big South doubleheader in Conway, S.C., Saturday afternoon.
Beth Bennett guided the Lady Flames to an early lead when she belted a three-run homer over the right field fence in the top of the first inning, her second home run of the series.
The Chanticleers responded in the bottom of the first, putting a run on the board when Michelle Evans homered to left with two outs, bringing the score to 3-1 in Liberty's favor.
The Lady Flames added two more runs to their lead in the top of the sixth, starting with Strickland's solo bomb with one out. After Bennett walked, Danielle Howard stepped up and drilled a double to right center, moving Bennett to third. After a Coastal Carolina pitching change, Keely McMillon laid down a well-placed sacrifice bunt, and Bennett scored to give Liberty a 5-1 lead.
The Liberty defense got into a jam in the bottom of the sixth inning, as the Chanticleers started a rally, scoring two runs to bring the score to 5-3. Brittany Birnbaum led off with a single through the left side, and advanced to third when Michelle Evans doubled to right field. The trouble continued when Stacy Snellings walked to load the bases with no outs.
On the next play, Olivia Williams reached on a RBI fielder's choice with a grounder to second base, and Snellings was forced out at second while Birnbaum came home. Next, Morgan Dodd singled with a bunt, and pinch runner Brittany Bailey advanced to second while Evans moved to third. Evans was able to score on the next play, a sacrifice fly to right field by Sarah Maples, bringing the score to 5-3.
The Lady Flames had a big inning in the top of the seventh, thanks to Strickland's second home run of the day, a three-run shot to center field, giving the Lady Flames a five run lead, 8-3. The bomb scored Cassie Hendrix, who reached on a single up the middle, and J'nae Jefferson, who singled to left.
Liberty was able to hold Coastal Carolina in the bottom of the seventh inning to take the victory.
Strickland led the Lady Flames, batting 2-for-3 with four RBIs, and Bennett was 1-for-3 and drove in three runs.
The Chanticleers were led by Evans, who was 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.
Tiffani Smith (9-12) picked up the win, giving up only two hits and striking out eight batters in five innings of work.
Katelin Edwards (5-17) took the loss, scattering four hits and notching no strikeouts in 5.1 innings pitched.
With the win, the Lady Flames improve to 21-33 overall and 9-8 in Big South action, while Coastal Carolina drops to 15-35 overall and 4-13 in the conference.
The two squads will meet again this afternoon for Game 2 of the day's doubleheader, the final game of the 2009 regular season.
Beth Bennett guided the Lady Flames to an early lead when she belted a three-run homer over the right field fence in the top of the first inning, her second home run of the series.
The Chanticleers responded in the bottom of the first, putting a run on the board when Michelle Evans homered to left with two outs, bringing the score to 3-1 in Liberty's favor.
The Lady Flames added two more runs to their lead in the top of the sixth, starting with Strickland's solo bomb with one out. After Bennett walked, Danielle Howard stepped up and drilled a double to right center, moving Bennett to third. After a Coastal Carolina pitching change, Keely McMillon laid down a well-placed sacrifice bunt, and Bennett scored to give Liberty a 5-1 lead.
The Liberty defense got into a jam in the bottom of the sixth inning, as the Chanticleers started a rally, scoring two runs to bring the score to 5-3. Brittany Birnbaum led off with a single through the left side, and advanced to third when Michelle Evans doubled to right field. The trouble continued when Stacy Snellings walked to load the bases with no outs.
On the next play, Olivia Williams reached on a RBI fielder's choice with a grounder to second base, and Snellings was forced out at second while Birnbaum came home. Next, Morgan Dodd singled with a bunt, and pinch runner Brittany Bailey advanced to second while Evans moved to third. Evans was able to score on the next play, a sacrifice fly to right field by Sarah Maples, bringing the score to 5-3.
The Lady Flames had a big inning in the top of the seventh, thanks to Strickland's second home run of the day, a three-run shot to center field, giving the Lady Flames a five run lead, 8-3. The bomb scored Cassie Hendrix, who reached on a single up the middle, and J'nae Jefferson, who singled to left.
Liberty was able to hold Coastal Carolina in the bottom of the seventh inning to take the victory.
Strickland led the Lady Flames, batting 2-for-3 with four RBIs, and Bennett was 1-for-3 and drove in three runs.
The Chanticleers were led by Evans, who was 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.
Tiffani Smith (9-12) picked up the win, giving up only two hits and striking out eight batters in five innings of work.
Katelin Edwards (5-17) took the loss, scattering four hits and notching no strikeouts in 5.1 innings pitched.
With the win, the Lady Flames improve to 21-33 overall and 9-8 in Big South action, while Coastal Carolina drops to 15-35 overall and 4-13 in the conference.
The two squads will meet again this afternoon for Game 2 of the day's doubleheader, the final game of the 2009 regular season.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Smith, Tiffani (9-12)
L: EDWARDS, Katelin (5-17)
Batting:
2B: Jefferson, J'nae 1 ; Howard, Danielle 1
HR: Strickland, Kelly 2 ; Bennett, Beth 1
RBI: Strickland, Kelly 4 ; Bennett, Beth 3 ; McMillon, Keely 1
SH: McMillon, Keely 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Hendrix, Cassie 1 ; Jefferson, J'nae 2 ; Strickland, Kelly 3 ; Bennett, Beth 2
SB: Hendrix, Cassie 1 ; Jefferson, J'nae 1 ; Howard, Danielle 1
CS: Pittman, Jennifer 1
Batting:
2B: EVANS, Michelle 1
HR: EVANS, Michelle 1
RBI: EVANS, Michelle 1 ; WILLIAMS, Olivia 1 ; MAPLES, Sarah 1
SF: MAPLES, Sarah 1
Base Running:
RUNS: BIRNBAUM, Brittany 1 ; EVANS, Michelle 2
Game Leaders
AB
4
R
2
H
2
RBI
0
AB
3
R
3
H
2
RBI
4
AB
4
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
2
H
1
RBI
3
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