Liberty softball dropped its first ever CUSA series, dropping two of three games at home to Jacksonville State over the weekend. Prior to this series, Liberty had won each of its first 17 Conference USA series since joining the conference prior to the 2024 season. The Flames are currently 7-15 on the season and 1-2 in conference play.

TUESDAY: MICHIGAN 8, LIBERTY 0 (5 innings)

Three batters into the game, Michigan staked itself to a 3-0 lead. Indiana Langford walked and Jenissa Conway reached on an error. Then, Lauren Putz’ 11th homer of the season made it 3-0. A five-run fourth inning put the game out of reach, and Kate Meyer pitched a 1-2-3 fifth inning to finish off a no-hitter.

Michigan led 7-0 hits with Liberty committing three errors. Meyers pitched her first collegiate no-hitter, allowing one walk and striking out two while facing one batter over the minimum.

Danner Allen drew the loss, allowing eight runs (six earned) on five hits, walking five and striking out one before giving away to Caitlyn Nesbitt and Gabby Mike.

FRIDAY: JAX STATE 9, LIBERTY 1 (6 innings)

In a rematch of the 2025 CUSA Softball Championship title game, Jacksonville State got the upper hand to open the series with a 9-1 win in six innings. Jax State loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the third before an error extended the inning, pushing across the game’s first run. The next batter high a bases-clearing double to make it 4-0, with all four runs being unearned. The Gamecocks added two in the fourth and three in the sixth to complete the run-rule win in both teams’ CUSA opener.

The visitors led 11-4 in hits. Makenna Moore earned the win, allowing one run on four hits, walking two and fanning one. Liberty starter Gabby Mike allowed four unearned runs in 2.2 innings, walking two. Caitlyn Nesbitt tossed 2/3 of an inning and Camden Anders pitched 2.2 innings. Four different Lady Flames had one hit a piece, with Savanah Whatley doubling and scoring.

The loss was Liberty’s first in a conference opener since March 15, 2019 against Kennesaw State. Prior to this year, Liberty had gone 9-1 in its last 10 conference openers.

SATURDAY: LIBERTY 3, JAX STATE 1

Liberty evened the CUSA opening series with a 3-1 win over the Gamecocks on Saturday, snapping a four-game losing streak. Liberty broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the fourth. Alexia Carrasquillo doubled to lead off. A sacrifice bunt sent pinch runner Aubry Norris to third. Then, Maci Strickland’s squeeze bunt drove in Norris from third. Jax State threaten to score in each of the last three innings. In the top of the fifth, Abigail Findlay came in and stranded runners on second and third with back-to-back strikeouts. Camden Anders fanned two with two runners on in the sixth, and then got a fly out with the bases loaded in the seventh to end the game.

Liberty led 5-2 in hits. Danner Allen earned the win, allowing one run on one hit, walking three and fanning four in 4.1 innings. Findlay walked three and struck out two in 2/3 of an inning while Anders picked up the save with two innings of one hit softball during which she walked two and fanned two.

Alexia Carrasquillo was 3 for 3 with a double, home run, one RBI, and two runs scored. It was her third career three-hit game and second this season.

SUNDAY: JAX STATE 6, LIBERTY 4

The Gamecocks held off a furious Liberty rally to earn the series victory on Sunday. Jax State capitalized on a pair of Liberty errors in a four-run second inning. They made it 6-0 with a bases-loaded single, but Paige Doerr fired home to erase the runner attempting to score at the plate. Later in the game, Liberty executed a successful relay from the outfield to keep the Gamecocks at six runs.

Liberty got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the third on a  two-run homer by Savannah Jessee, cutting the deficit to 6-2. Single tallies in the fourth and the sixth narrowed the game to two. With two outs and runners on second and third in the bottom of the sixth inning, the Gamecocks got out of the jam when Brynn McManus’ grounder hit base runner Maci Strickland between second and third to end the inning. The Lady Flames stranded 11 runners on base in the loss.

Abigail Findlay drew the loss, allowing two runs, one earned, on one hit, walking three, and striking out one in one innings as the starter. Relievers Danner Allen, Camden Anders, and Gabby Mike followed. Savannah Jessee batted 3 for 4 with a homer, two RBI, and one run scored while Ella Fox was 2 for 4 with a double and one RBI.

ON TAP

3/10 @ James Madison, 4 pm, ESPN+
3/13 @ Middle Tennessee, 7 p.m., ESPN+
3/14 @ Middle Tennessee, 5 p.m., ESPN+
3/15 @ Middle Tennessee, 1 p.m., ESPN+

NOTABLE SEASON STATS

Alexia Carrasquillo…..355 batting average, 8 runs, 4 doubles, 3 HR, 13 RBI
Savannah Jessee………324 batting average, 4 doubles, 2 HR, 15 RBI
Ella Fox…………………..306 batting average, 3 doubles, 2 triples, 14 runs
Brooke Roberts……….227 batting average, 1 double
Paige Doerr………………210 batting average, 7 runs, 1 double, 1 HR, 5 RBI

Gabby Mike 1-6, 4.06 ERA, 48.1 innings pitched
Camden Anders 2-1, 4.30 ERA, 29.1 innings pitched
Abigail Findlay 1-1, 3.75 ERA, 9.1 innings pitched
Danner Allen 3-1, 4.70 ERA, 19.0 innings pitched