Lady Flames to Face EKU in ASUN-Opening Series
3/18/2022 10:22:57 AM | Softball
Defending ASUN champion Liberty (14-12) opens up conference play at ASUN newcomer Eastern Kentucky (4-19), Saturday and Sunday. Liberty brings a six-game winless streak into the weekend, while EKU has gone 1-5 in its last six games.
Liberty at Eastern Kentucky
Gertrude Hood Field
Richmond, Ky.
Saturday, March 19
2 p.m. - Game 1 Live Stats | ESPN+
4 p.m. - Game 2 Live Stats | ESPN+
Sunday, March 20
Noon - Game 3 Live Stats | ESPN+
Liberty is in the midst of a stretch with eight out of nine games on the road. The Lady Flames fell 3-2 to North Carolina at Liberty Softball Stadium on Wednesday despite a two-run homer by Denay Griffin and strong relief pitching (5 2/3 IP, one run, three hits) from Karlie Keeney.
The Lady Flames and 2021 OVC champion Colonels last met in the 2021 NCAA Knoxville Regional, with Liberty eliminating EKU by a 5-1 score. Liberty used a five-run second inning, keyed by a three-run double from Autumn Bishop. Current Lady Flame Devyn Howard went 2-for-3 in the game, while Karlie Keeney earned the win with 3 1/3 innings of scoreless relief pitching.
For the fourth year in a row, Liberty was voted first in the 2022 ASUN Preseason Coaches Poll. The Lady Flames went 16-2 in ASUN play last season, ending the season on a 13-game conference winning streak. Senior Emily Kirby was voted ASUN Preseason Pitcher of the Year, while junior outfielder Kara Canetto was named ASUN Preseason Player of the Year. Senior Lou Allan joins Kirby and Canetto on the ASUN Preseason All-Conference Team.
Liberty has gone 32-7 in ASUN regular-season games since joining the conference. The Lady Flames have won each of their last 13 conference games, which is a program record for consecutive conference wins. Liberty has won its conference opener in five out of the last six seasons.
The Lady Flames’ season has been one of streaks. Liberty opened the year at 0-5 before going on separate winning streaks of six games and eight games surrounding a loss to Charleston Southern. The Lady Flames are currently on a six-game winless streak, and each of the last five games have been decided by just one run. All six games have been against Power Five opponents, including three against Top 25 teams and three that required extra innings.
Liberty has already played eight games against teams ranked in the Top 25 at time of meeting, downing No. 23 Notre Dame 6-3 on March 5. Three additional games against nationally-ranked opponents ended in one-run losses. Liberty opened the season ranked No. 24 in three major national polls after posting a 44-15 record last season and qualifying for the Knoxville Regional final.
The Lady Flames have posted a 2.62 ERA and six shutouts this year, ranking second in the ASUN in shutouts. Karlie Keeney, a 2021 ASUN All-Conference second team pitcher, is 8-6 with a 2.52 ERA and two shutouts (both no-hitters), while Megan Johnson is 2-0 with a 2.30 ERA. Sophomores McKenzie Wagoner (2-3, 2.42 ERA) and Naomi Jones (1-0, 1.83) have earned valuable experience, while 2021 ASUN Pitcher of the Year Emily Kirby is 1-3 with a 3.82 ERA and one shutout.
Liberty scores an ASUN-leading 5.15 runs per game. Devyn Howard leads Liberty with a .380 batting average, .608 slugging percentage and 21 runs scored. 2021 All-Big Ten first baseman Lou Allan bats .307 with a team-leading five homers and 17 RBI, while catcher Caroline Hudson (.259) has totaled four homers and 15 RBI. Hudson has thrown out 10 out of 25 would-be basestealers for a stellar 40 percent success rate. Kara Canetto, last year’s team leader in batting average, is hitting .286 with a team-leading seven stolen bases. Denay Griffin leads the team with a .511 on base percentage and 15 walks, while Alexis Soto, named ASUN Player of the Week on March 7, bats .324.
