Liberty softball returned to the top 25 this week before dropping a close game on the road to fellow top 25 in-state foe Virginia on Wednesday. The Lady Flames bounced back in a big way with a three-game sweep, all shutouts, over FIU. Liberty concludes the regular season at 44-11 overall and 23-3 in conference play. The Lady Flames have tied a program record for regular season wins, posting a 44-12 mark in 2018. The Flames begin play in the CUSA Tournament this week in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
WEDNESDAY: #24 VIRGINIA 5, #25 LIBERTY 3
The Cavaliers used a four-run fourth inning to come from behind to defeat Liberty at Palmer Park in Charlottesville. Virginia leads Liberty 50-28 in the all-time series. This is the third year in a row in which Liberty and Virginia have split the season series. The Lady Flames fall to 1-6 against nationally ranked opponents so far this season.
The Lady Flames manufactured one run in each of the first three innings while Virginia had one run on six hits over the first two frames. Trailing 3-1 in the bottom of the fourth, the Cavaliers rallied with one out. Elena Escobar came on in relief of Paige Bachman during the inning after the Cavaliers had tied the contest, but the the first batter she faced, Jade Hylton, united the game with a two-run homer for the difference maker.
Liberty had just two hits in the game with Virginia’s two errors and one passed ball contributing to two unearned runs for the Lady Flames. Eden Bigham earned the win, moving to 16-8 on the season. She allowed three runs, one earned, on two hits, walking four and striking out three.
Bachman drew the loss, falling to 10-3 on the season. She allowed three runs on two hits, walking one in two relief innings. Kaylan Yoder started the game, allowing one run on six hits in 1.1 innings. Escobar pitched the final 2.2 innings, giving up one run on one hit with two strikeouts.
FRIDAY: #25 LIBERTY 5, FIU 0
Paige Bachman tossed a six-hit shutout as Liberty blanked FIU in game one on Friday at Liberty Softball Stadium. The Lady Flames led 2-0 after four innings before putting the game out of reach with a three-fun fifth. Rachel Roupe’s sacrifice fly made it 3-0, while Brynn McManus pushed the lead to 5-0 with a two-run double. That was all the offense Bachman needed.
Bachman improved to 11-3 on the season with her sixth career shutout and second of the season. She scattered six hits while striking out five and walking two. Brooke Roberts and Savannah Jessee both hit solo home runs.
SATURDAY: #25 LIBERTY 8, FIU 0
Liberty scored one run in each of the first three innings before erupting for a five-run fourth inning that included RBI singles from Savannah Jessee and Savannah Woodard as well as Rachel Roupe’s sacrifice fly and Brynn McManus’ two-run homer.
Elena Escobar tossed her fifth shutout of the season, including fourth in CUSA play, allowing just two hits and one walk while striking out six. She is now 12-0 in CUSA play this season and 19-3 overall.
McManus was 2 for 3 with two homers and three RBI while Jessee was 2 for 2 with one RBI. Roupe was 1 for 2 with a homer and two RBI while KK Madrey stole her 46th base. The win secured the series victory, as Liberty has now won all 17 CUSA series since joining the conference prior to the 2024 season.
SUNDAY: LIBERTY 7, FIU 0
Liberty posted its third straight shutout of the weekend over FIU on Sunday, the regular season and home finale. The Lady Flames left the bases loaded in both the first and second innings, but Liberty scored three times in the third to take control of the game. With Liberty leading, seniors Rachel Roupe and Alyssa Henault hit back to back home runs to make it 7-0. Senior Paige Bachman pitched a 1-2-3 seventh inning to complete the shutout.
Kaylan Yoder earned the win while allowing one hit, walking three, hitting three, and striking out four in 5.1 innings. Bachman retired all five batters she faced. Roupe was 2 for 2 with a homer while KK Madrey batted 2 for 4 with a double, RBI and two runs scored.
Liberty has not allowed a single run in the last 21.2 innings. This is the fifth time in program history and first since 2024 against Louisiana Tech that the Lady Flames have not allowed a single run in a full three-game series. Liberty finished the year at 24-3 at Liberty Softball Stadium, tying the program single season record for home wins, going 24-2 in 2019. Liberty’s 23 CUSA wins are the most by a CUSA team in league history.
ON TAP
The regular season is complete as Liberty now prepares to head to Bowling Green, Kentucky for the CUSA Softball Championship this week. The Lady Flames will be looking to repeat as conference champs and are the No. 1 seed.
CUSA STANDINGS
Liberty……………….23-3, 44-11
WKU………………….14-10-1, 29-19-1
Jax State……………15-11, 34-20
LA Tech……………..15-12, 30-23
Sam Houston…..14-13, 27-27
NMSU……………….14-13, 27-25
MTSU………………..13-14, 26-27
FIU……………………..11-15-1, 29-22-1
UTEP…………………10-17, 22-28
Kennesaw………..3-24, 12-41
