It’s been a challenging opening week for the Liberty softball team, as the Lady Flames dropped its first five games to open the year. It was a tough opening slate, facing four Power Five teams and four teams ranked in the top 25.
FRIDAY GAME 1: IOWA 7, #24 LIBERTY 0
Opening the season with four games in the Northern Lights/Southern Nights Tournament, the Flames fell behind Iowa 4-0 after one inning and lost 7-0 to the Hawkeyes. Iowa hit a grand slam in the first inning off Liberty ace Emily Kirby. They would tack on two runs in the second off Karlie Keeney and unable to get anything going on offense.
FRIDAY GAME 2: #19 KENTUCKY 3, #24 LIBERTY 1
With the game tied at 1 in the sixth inning, Kentucky blasted a two-run home run by Erin Coffel to edge the No. 24 Liberty Lady Flames. Liberty left six runners on base, including two to end both the third and sixth innings. Lou Allan and Kara Canetto both singled for the Flames in the loss.
SATURDAY: #23 NORTHWESTERN 8, #24 LIBERTY 2
For the second time in three games, Liberty fell behind 4-0 in the first inning on their way to an 8-2 win on Saturday afternoon. All Big Ten first team pitcher Danielle Williams earned the win for Northwestern, striking out 12 and walking one while allowing two runs on five hits.
SUNDAY: #9 MISSOURI 6, #24 LIBERTY 5
Liberty nearly pulled off a late comeback, narrowing a 6-2 deficit to one run with a three-run sixth inning. The Lady Flames left the bases loaded to end the game. The game was tied at two before Missouri scored four runs in the top of the sixth.
TUESDAY: #24 UCF 3, LIBERTY 0
The Flames trailed 1-0 in the top of the fourth, but were able to load the bases on an error and a pair of singles. The Knights escaped damage, getting Rachel Craine to ground to third to end the inning. A Liberty error in the bottom of the fourth left the door open for two insurance runs for UCF. Liberty brought the tying run to the plate in the seventh before Kara Canetto grounded into a fielder’s choice to end the game.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK: LOU ALLAN
Michigan transfer Lou Allan has been Liberty’s best hitter this week. She has a .357 batting average through the first five games with a home run and two RBIs.
PITCHER OF THE WEEK: MCKENZIE WAGONER
McKenzie Wagoner has been solid in her two appearances this week. She has the lowest team ERA so far, at 4.20, with one start and five innings pitched. She’s allowed 2 hits and 3 runs while holding opponents to a .133 batting average. Wagoner has 3 strikeouts and 5 walks in her time in the circle this weekend.
ON TAP
Liberty will conclude its opening trip to Florida this weekend competing in The Spring Games in Leesburg, Florida. The Lady Flames play a double-header on Friday, beginning with Maryland at 1:30 and followed by Florida Atlantic at 4 p.m. On Saturday, Liberty plays another double-header, facing Ohio State at 1:30 and Hofstra at 4 p.m. Sunday will conclude the Florida opening season trip when the Lady Flames face South Alabama at 9 a.m. All games this weekend will be televised on FloSoftball.
