Lady Flames Shut Out JMU 4-0

In a rematch of the 2021 Knoxville Regional final, Liberty shut out James Madison 4-0 on Sunday at Kamphuis Field at Liberty Softball Stadium.

Liberty earned its eighth straight win, pushing its record 14-6. The Lady Flames went a perfect 5-0 at this weekend’s Liberty Softball Invitational. The Dukes fall to 4-9 on the season after going 1-4 while in Lynchburg.

Scoring Summary

Liberty – 1st INNING – Soto singles, Hudson and Howard score, 2-0

Liberty – 1st INNING – Machado singles, Soto and Allan score, 4-0

Notable Numbers

- Liberty outhit JMU 5-3 for the game. Both teams committed one error, while both teams also stranded five runners.

- Karlie Keeney (8-2) earned the win, combining with Emily Kirby for the team’s sixth shutout of the season. Keeney tossed 3 2/3 innings of relief, striking out three while allowing three hits. Starter Emily Kirby fanned three and walked five in 3 1/3 innings before exiting the game.

- Alissa Humphrey (2-6) drew the loss, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits, walking four and striking out three.

- KC Machado went 2-for-3 with two RBI, while Alexis Soto drove in two runs while going 1-foer-3. Devyn Howard batted 1-for-1 with a double and two walks.

Turning Point

- Liberty quickly loaded the bases with nobody out in the first inning. Soto then made it 2-0 with a two- run single, and Machado came through with a two-run base hit of her own.

- Kirby did not allow a hit, but walked the bases loaded with one out in the fourth. Keeney then entered the circle, getting Emily Phillips to fly out to right. Rachel Roupe then threw home to catcher Caroline Hudson, who threw behind Lauren Bernett at second base, getting the third out on a tag by Raigan Barrett to keep the shutout alive.

Beyond the Box Score

- James Madison is 15-10 all-time against Liberty in softball and had won the last five meetings prior to tonight. JMU edged the Lady Flames twice last year in the NCAA Knoxville Regional. Before tonight, Liberty’s last win over James Madison was April 13, 2011, a 9-7 triumph.

- Liberty is now 9-0 this season when scoring in the first inning and 13-0 when scoring first in a game.

- The Lady Flames went 5-0 at the Liberty Softball Invitational, outscoring opponents 40-5 while outhitting them .348-.190. Liberty no-hit Rutgers on Thursday, one of two run-rule wins over the Scarlet Knights on the weekend. The Lady Flames also knocked off No. 23 Notre Dame and Lehigh last night.

- Liberty is 9-1 on its 11-game homestand, which ends on Thursday against nationally-ranked Arkansas. The Lady Flames have outscored opponents 66-13 in 10 home games this season.

Up Next

Liberty concludes its program record-tying 11-game homestand on Thursday, welcoming nationally-ranked Arkansas to Liberty Softball Stadium for a 4 p.m. game.

Schedule

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Team Stats

KC Machado

Devyn Howard

Alexis Soto

Rachel Roupe