After getting a win over Virginia Tech in the midweek, Liberty softball was swept at home by Louisiana Tech. It is the first time since April 24-26, 2015 at Winthrop that Liberty has been swept in a three-game conference series. The series loss is also only the team’s second conference series loss in 25 total CUSA regular season series since joining the conference. The Lady Flames are now 23-26 overall and 15-9 in conference play entering the final week of the regular season.

WEDNESDAY: LIBERTY 10, #13 VIRGINIA TECH 9

Liberty took a 10-4 lead into the bottom of the seventh before withstanding a five-run rally by the Hokies to preserve the top 15 win for the Lady Flames on Wednesday at Tech Softball Park.

With the game tied at 1 entering the third inning, both teams loaded the bases with nobody out in the third. The Lady Flames scored five runs, getting RBI from Alexia Carrasquillo, Paige Doerr, Dani Lee, and JaMaya Byrum to take e a 6-1 lead. Virginia Tech managed just one run in the third on a wild pitch. The Hokies narrowed the gap to 6-4 on a two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth, but Liberty capitalized on a Hokies error int he sixth to lead 7-4. The Flames added insurance runs in the top of the seventh as Ella Fox made it 9-4 with a two-run single with one out. Savannah Jessee’s two out RBI single pushed Liberty’s lead to 10-4. Abigail Findlay had two outs and one on in the bottom of the seventh inning before Tech made a rally, capped by Rachel Castine’s two-run homer to cut it to 10-0. Caitlyn Nesbitt came on in relief, giving up a single before getting the final out on a groundout to nail down the save.

Findlay, who started the game, earned the win while allowing nine runs (eight earned) on 11 hits, walking one, and striking out three. Ella Fox was 2 for 5 with two RBU and two runs scored while Savannah Jessee batted 2 for 5 with one RBI and one run scored. Alexia Carrasquillo batted 2 for 4 with one RBI and one run, while Paige Doerr went 2 for 4 with a double, two RBI, and one run.

FRIDAY: LOUISIANA TECH 7, LIBERTY 2 (9 innings)

Louisiana Tech used a five-run rally in the top of the ninth inning to spark an extra innings win on Friday at Liberty Softball Stadium, the Bulldogs first ever win over the Flames. The teams played to a 2-2 tie through seven innings, Liberty’s first extra-inning game of the season. Both teams got a leadoff baserunner in the eighth, but Camden Anders struck out the last two Bulldogs to end the top half. McManus grounded into a double play in the home half before Maci Strickland popped out to send the game to the ninth. The Bulldogs scored five runs, four of them unearned, in the top of the ninth, capitalizing on two Liberty errors to take the 7-2 lead. Despite getting two hits in the bottom of the ninth, the Lady Flames were unable to mount any comeback.

Camden Anders drew the loss, allowing five runs, three earned, on eight hits, walking three and striking out five in eight innings. Gabby Mike allowed two unearned runs in 0.2 innings before Abigail Findlay struck out the only I batter she faced. Liberty’s Alexia Carrasquillo and Brynn McManus both doubled, while McManus hit her eighth homer of the season.

SATURDAY: LOUISIANA TECH 10, LIBERTY 0

Saturday’s game was affected by weather with two separate weather delays that lasted nearly four hours combined. The Bulldogs dominated throughout, to claim the series win. Louisiana Tech led 3-0 heading into the top of the sixth. The Bulldogs scored four runs, all unearned, capitalizing on a Liberty error in the inning. LA Tech then added a three-run seventh. Bulldog reliever Bryannah Campos hit Maci Strickland to start the bottom of the seventh, but retired the next three Lady Flames in order to seal the shutout.

Abigail Findlay drew the loss, allowing two runs on one hit, walking five and striking out two in 1.2 innings. Danner Allen yielded five runs, one earned, on five hits, walking one and striking out four in four innings. After Caitlin Nesbitt pitched a third of an inning, Kaylan Yoder struck out two and allowed one unearned run in one inning. Paige Doerr and Savannah Nash both doubled for Liberty while Ella Fox and Maci Strickland both singled.

SUNDAY: LOUISIANA TECH 9, LIBERTY 7

Louisiana Tech completed a series sweep of Liberty on Sunday, coming back for a 9-7 victory. Liberty held a 4-0 lead entering the top of the fifth inning. Louisiana Tech would load the bases with nobody out before scoring six total runs in the fifth, capitalizing on one error during the frame. After Louisiana Tech scored twice a in the sixth to take an 8-4 lead, Liberty rallied in the home half. Brynn McManus singled and Savannah Jessee walked. Alexia Carrasquillo then narrowed the gap to 8-7 with a three-run homer. The Bulldogs added an insurance run in the top of the seventh before Bryannah Campos pitched a 1-2-3 seventh to complete the sweep.

Camden Anders drew the loss, allowing five runs on four hits, walking four and striking out four in 4.1 innings. She was followed by relievers Danner Allen, Kaylan Yoder, and Abigail Findlay. Alexia Carrasquillo batted 3 for 4 with a homer, tying her career high with four RBI. Brynn McManus, Savannah Nash, and Brooke Roberts had two hits each.

ON TAP

4/28 vs Virginia, 5 p.m., ESPN+
4/30 @ Kennesaw State, 5 p.m., ESPN+
5/1 @ Kennesaw State, 5 p.m., ESPN+
5/2 @ Kennesaw State, 12 noon, ESPN+

NOTABLE SEASON STATS

Alexia Carrasquillo…..333 batting average, 23 runs, 10 doubles, 11 HR, 42 RBI
Savannah Jessee………301 batting average, 9 doubles, 7 HR, 27 RBI
Ella Fox…………………..308 batting average, 7 doubles, 3 triples, 33 runs
Brynn McManus………293 batting average, 28 runs, 5 doubles, 8 HR, 31 RBI
Paige Doerr………………267 batting average, 23 runs, 7 doubles, 4 HR, 24 RBI
Dani Lee…………………..333 batting average, 5 doubles, 2 HR, 13 RBI

Camden Anders 11-6, 3.24 ERA, 108.0 innings pitched
Gabby Mike 2-10, 4.17 ERA, 87.1 innings pitched
Danner Allen 5-2, 5.73 ERA, 58.2 innings pitched

CUSA STANDINGS

Jax State…………….21-3, 39-13
Western Kentucky…18-6, 36-10
Liberty………………..15-9, 23-25
Delaware……………..15-9, 28-21
New Mexico St…….15-9, 25-23
FIU…………………….14-10, 32-16
Sam Houston………13-11, 29-23
LA Tech………………12-12, 26-23
Missouri State………8-16, 20-27
Middle Tennessee…6-18, 20-28
UTEP…………………..4-20, 12-34
Kennesaw State…….3-21, 7-40