Lady Flames Top Highlanders, 3-1
4/14/2018 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Liberty staged a three-run rally in the fourth inning, drawing even in this weekend's series with a 3-1 win over Radford in game one of a twin bill, Saturday at Radford Softball Stadium.
The Lady Flames (31-12, 11-3) snapped a four-game winless streak with the victory. Radford falls to 22-14, 6-5 in Big South play.
Liberty outhit Radford, 7-3. The Highlanders committed three errors, compared to two for Liberty.
Chase Cassady (6-2) was in control from the start, allowing one run on just three hits, walking one and striking out four in five innings pitched. Julia DiMartino picked up her fourth save of the season, pitching two hitless innings. DiMartino tied a program single-season record for saves.
Kayla Huffman (7-4) gave up three runs, two earned, on seven hits, with six strikeouts in seven innings pitched.
Liberty's Kaitlin McFarland went 2-for-3 with a double and one RBI, while Autumn Bishop doubled and scored while going 1-for-3.
Maggie Rowe batted 2-for-3 with one RBI for Radford.
Radford scored once in the bottom of the first. Hannah Medlam drew a one-out walk, and Cassady then hit Sofia Tapia with a pitch. After two outs, Rowe lined an RBI single up the middle, plating Medlam. Cassady retired Hunter Mundy on an inning-ending groundout.
Amber Bishop singled to right, leading off the second, and went to second on an error on the play. Huffman set down the next three, on a foulout and a pair of strikeouts.
Jaclyn Amader singled to left with two outs in the third inning. Third baseman Talia Douglas snared a screaming liner by Jasmeen Click, securing the third out.
After another 1-2-3 Radford inning, Autumn Bishop led off the fourth with a double down the left-field line. Sarah Robertson then bunted for a base hit, putting runners on the corners. Robertson stole second. Madison Via reached on a dropped throw at first base, and Autumn Bishop crossed the plate, tying the game at 1-1. McFarland lined an RBI single to left, going to second on the throw home. Madi Clarke flied out to left, and catcher Rowe dropped the ball on a collision at the plate, allowing Via to score. A flyout by Taylor Hoffman ended the inning.
Cassady hit Douglas to start the bottom of the fourth, and Rowe then singled up the middle. The Liberty right-hander retired the next three batters, maintaining the 3-1 Liberty advantage.
A pair of errors to start the bottom of the sixth gave Radford runners on second and third with nobody out. DiMartino then came on in relief of Cassady. Rowe hit a grounder to short, and Robertson erased Tapia at the plate. Pinch runner Lindsey Toneygay stole second. Mundy popped out, and a walk to Marissa Yow filled the bases. DiMartino fanned Callie Morgan, leaving the two-run lead intact.
McFarland doubled to right field to lead off the seventh. Liberty was unable to add a run, as Huffman retired the next three hitters.
DiMartino slammed the door in the bottom of the seventh, pitching a 1-2-3 inning to nail down the save.????
