Liberty Squeezes Out 10-Inning 5-4 Victory Over Coastal
4/18/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Liberty picked up its second win of the day over Coastal Carolina when Cassie Gingerich plated Mickey Loveridge with a squeeze bunt during the bottom of the 10th, sealing the Lady Flames' 5-4 victory on Saturday at Kamphuis Field at Liberty Softball Stadium.
The Lady Flames (24-24, 12-9 Big South) have now won six out of their seven Big South series this season, after posting a pair of 5-4 wins in a doubleheader sweep today. Coastal Carolina falls to 28-19, 13-4 in conference play after dropping the weekend set at Liberty, 2-1.
Saturday's game, at three hours and 30 minutes, was the longest game in stadium history. It was also Liberty's first 10-inning game since falling at Radford, 4-3, in 10 innings on March 28, 2012.
With the international tiebreaker in effect to start the 10th inning, Coastal's Kasey Oliver was placed at second base. Chandler Ball and the Lady Flames retired the next three batters in order.
Liberty's Loveridge took second base to start the bottom of the 10th. Blair Lawrence reached on a bunt, putting runners at the corners. With runners and second and third and one out, Gingerich laid down a perfect bunt, and Loveridge raced home with the winning run.
For Liberty, Kassidy McCoy went 3-for-5 with two RBI, good for her first three-hit game this season and third of her career. Gingerich, who celebrated her birthday today, batted 2-for-5 and drove in the winning run. Lawrence stole her 20th base, while Kelby Allen and Katie Han both doubled.
Bri Chiusano batted 2-for-4 with two runs scored for the Chanticleers, while Morgan Noad went 1-for-5 with two RBI.
Ball improved to 17-8 with her second win on the day. Her 17 wins are the fourth-most in a single season in program history. She pitched two hitless innings of relief, striking out one and walking one. Starter Kenzie Friesen allowed four runs (one earned) on six hits, fanning five and walking four.
Kelsey Dominik (11-7) drew the loss, allowing two runs (one earned) on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings of relief work. Dominik struck out six and walked four. Starting pitcher Mackenzie Conrad gave up three runs on four hits in three innings, striking out three and walking three.
Coastal jumped ahead in the top of the first. Chisuano led off with a bunt single and advanced two bases after two wild pitches. Noad then grounded into a fielder's choice, plating Chiusano for a 1-0 Coastal lead.
The Chanticleers threatened in the second inning, putting two runners on base, but Friesen struck out two out of the next three batters, keeping the score at 1-0.
Liberty evened the score when Han doubled to lead off the bottom of the second and McCoy followed with an RBI single. A double play and groundout ensued, ending the inning.
The hosts took the lead with a two-run fourth inning. Megan Robinson drew a leadoff walk, and Allen then hit a run-scoring double. After a walk to Han, McCoy drove in Allen with a single, making it 3-1, Lady Flames. Liberty loaded the bases with one out, but reliever Dominik got the final two outs.
Coastal drew to within one, 3-2, scoring once in the top of the sixth. Kiana Quolas reached on an error to start the frame. Amanda Daneker later came through with a two-out RBI single.
The Lady Flames put runners on the corners in the bottom of the sixth on a pair of walks. However, a double-steal play was thwarted, leaving the game at 3-2 heading to the seventh.
Liberty was one out from clinching the win in the seventh. With Chiusano on second and two outs, Quolas reached on a throwing error and Chisuano scored on the play. Back-to-back singles by Kory Hayden and Noad put the Chanticleers ahead, 4-3.
Jessica Cicerchia led off the bottom of the seventh with a single. Taylor and Robinson followed with hits, as Robinson plated Cicerchia to tie the game. A walk to Allen loaded the bases with one out, but Dominik struck out Han and got McCoy to ground out, sending the game to extra innings.
Kotchey and Gingerich both singled during Liberty's eighth at bat before a groundout by Taylor ended the inning.
Friesen walked the first two Coastal batters in the ninth inning. Ball came on and got two quick outs. After walking Daneker to load the bases, Ball fanned Dominik to end the threat.
The Lady Flames left two runners on base to end the ninth, as Dominik struck out Kotchey, setting up the dramatic 10th inning.
Liberty remains at home, where the Lady Flames will host Hampton for a doubleheader starting at 4 p.m. on Tuesday.
