Liberty softball won its 14th straight conference series since joining Conference USA prior to last season. The Lady Flames picked up the first two wins of the series at New Mexico State before the Aggies scored three in the bottom of the sixth to come from behind to win the series finale on Sunday. The Lady Flames are now 35-10 on the season and 15-2 in conference play.

WEDNESDAY: #11 VIRGINIA TECH 6, #20 LIBERTY 0

The Hokies ran their winning streak to 10 games while the Lady Flames saw an 8 game win streak snapped. Virginia Tech secures the 2-0 series sweep against Liberty this season, with Emma Lemley tossing a no-hitter in the first meeting in Lynchburg on Feb. 26 and then a three-hitter in the win Wednesday. Lemley and the Hokies are the only team to shut out Liberty this season, doing so twice.

Liberty opened the game by loading the bases with just one out in the top of the first on a Savannah Woodard double and walks to Rachel Roupe and Brynn McManus. Lemley was able to keep the Lady Flames off the scoreboard with a strikeout and groundout. To lead off the bottom of the first, Cori McMillan homered before an RBI single made it 2-0 at the end of 1. The Hokies added three in the 3rd and one in the 5th while Lemley pitched seven shutout innings. Liberty left nine runners on base during the game.

Elena Escobar drew the loss, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out two in one inning. Paige Bachman allowed four runs on five hits, walking three and striking out two in three innings. Kaylan Yoder pitched two innings of one-hit relief, allowing one walk and striking out three. Woodard, Paige Doerr, and Savannah Jessee each recorded a hit for the Flames.

FRIDAY: #21 LIBERTY 5, NMSU 1

With both teams trading scoring chances in a 1-1 game early, Liberty went ahead for good in the top of the fourth. With two outs and nobody on, Savanah Whatley singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch. After Savannah Woodard walked, Rachel Roupe gave Liberty a 2-1 lead with an RBI single. The Lady Flames added one in the sixth and two in the seventh and Paige Bachman nailed down a three-inning save.

Elena Escobar improved to 16-3 on the season with the win, including 9-0 in CUSA games. With the 16 wins, she matches her win total from all of last year, having now won 32 games as a Lady Flame. She allowed one run on six hits, walking one, and striking out t five in four innings. Bachman earned her second save, tossing three innings of shutout relief while allowing four hits and striking out four.

KK Madrey went 2 for 3 with three stolen bases and two runs scored, while Paige Doerr batted 2 for 3 and scored once. Brynn McManus was 2 for 4 with one RBI, while Savannah Jessee went 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI.

SATURDAY: #21 LIBERTY 10, NMSU 0 (5 innings)

The Lady Flames cashed in on New Mexico State miscues, scoring four total earned runs. Liberty took a 4-0 lead with a four-run second inning before tacking on six in the fourth. Kaylan Yoder quieted the Aggies’ bats all game, tossing a two-hit shutout. KK Madrey robbed Desirae Spearman of a home run with one out in the fifth inning.

It was Yoder’s sixth career shutout and first of the season. She also struck out five and walked three while improving her record to 7-3 on the season. She becomes the fifth Lady Flame this season with at least one shutout, the first time in program history Liberty has had five different pitchers toss one or more shutouts in the same year. Savannah Woodard and Brynn McManus both went 3 for 4 with one RBI while Rachel Roupe added a double, home run, and four RBI.

SUNDAY: NMSU 3, #21 LIBERTY 1

The Lady Flames were held to just one run while leaving 9 runners on base as New Mexico State scored three runs in the 6th inning for the come from behind win to keep from getting swept.

The game was scoreless through five innings as Liberty’s Paige Bachman and Faith Aragon held both lineups in check. In t he top of the 6th, the Flames would strike first, taking a 1-0 lead, on Rachel Craine’s RPI single up the middle that scored KK Madrey. In the home half of the 6th, Desirae Spearman walked before Devin Elam homered to right to center to put the home team in front. Kristiana Watson would double to score Elam to extend the lead to 3-1.

Bachman got the loss, falling to 8-2 on the season. She allowed 3 runs on 5 hits in 5.2 innings while striking out four and walking two. Kaylan Yoder allowed one hit and struck out one for the two batters she faced in relief. Aragon pitched a complete game, allowing one run on five hits while striking out six and walking two.

ON TAP

No mid-week matchup for the Lady Flames this week. Liberty will return home to host Sam Houston for a three-game series beginning Thursday at 6 p.m. The rest of the series is scheduled for Friday at 3 p.m. and Saturday at noon.

CUSA STANDINGS

Liberty……………….15-2, 36-9
FIU……………………..11-7, 29-14
LA Tech……………..11-7, 25-18
Sam Houston…..11-7, 23-21
Jax State……………10-8, 27-17
NMSU……………….9-9, 22-19
MTSU………………..9-9, 21-22
WKU………………….7-10, 21-18
UTEP…………………5-13, 15-24
Kennesaw………..1-17, 10-33