Liberty softball won the decisive game three on Sunday against Delaware to earn the series victory, taking two of three from the Blue Hens. It capped a 2-2 week for the Lady Flames after dropping a midweek contest to Virginia. Liberty is 16-17 on the season and 9-3 in Conference USA play.
WEDNESDAY: #12 VIRGINIA 2, LIBERTY 1
Looking to extend their seven game win streak, Liberty jumped on top of the Cavaliers in the 4th inning when Savannah Jessee broke the scoreless tie with a home run to center field. Virginia rallied with two runs in the bottom of the sixth as they improved to 28-3 on the season.
With the game still at 1-0 in the top of the sixth, Virginia brought in relief pitcher Eden Bigham. The Cavalier right-hander struck out Jessee for the second out before walking the bases loaded. She fanned Maci Strickland to end the rally. Virginia rallied in the bottom of the inning, as Bella Cabral walked before Kelsey Hackett flared a single to left center just out of the reach of shortstop Savanah Whatley. Alex Call followed by lining a game-tying single to left center which was nearly caught on a drive by left fielder Paige Doerr. Hannah Weismer’s sacrifice fly then put UVA ahead 2-1.
Camden Anders drew the tough luck loss, allowing two runs on four hits, walking five and striking out three. The homer for Jessee was her sixth of the season while Alexia Carrasquillo doubled. The homer extended a stretch of 10 straight games, the longest in program history since early 2021. Liberty falls to 11-2 when leading after the fifth inning this year.
FRIDAY: LIBERTY 7, DELAWARE 4
The Lady Flames used a three-fun fifth inning to take the lead for good in a series-opening victory over Delaware on Friday afternoon, Liberty’s seventh conference win in a row.
The Blue Hens trailed 4-0 entering the fourth inning, being held without a hit by starter Danner Allen until that point. Sydney Shaffer broke up the no-hitter and shutout with a leadoff home run. After a double, Gabby Mike entered the circle for Liberty. An RBI double was followed by a game-tying two-run homer by Maddie Diamond before Liberty could get out of the inning. Liberty would regain the lead in the 4th. Brynn McManus drew a leadoff walk before Paige Doerr launched a two-run home run to center to make it 6-4. Back-to-back doubles by Dani Lee and Brooke Roberts extended the lead to 7-4.
Camden Anders earned the win, pitching the final three innings of two-hit softball while walking two. Starter Danner Allen allowed two runs on two hits in three innings, walking two and striking out five. Gabby Mike yielded two runs in one inning. Savannah Jessee, Dani Lee, and Brooke Roberts each had two hits and one double. Paige Doerr homered and drove in two runs.
SATURDAY: DELAWARE 12, LIBERTY 3 (6 innings)
Delaware evened the weekend series with a run-rule victory in six innings on Saturday. The Hens homered twice in a three-run first inning and scored three more runs in the fifth to take a 6-1 lead. The Lady Flames would respond with an RBI from Alexia Carrasquillo and Savannah Jessee in the bottom of the 5th, narrowing the gap to 6-3. However, Delaware scored six runs in the top of the 6th inning and finished off the 12-3, six-inning victory.
Gabby Mike drew the loss, allowing three runs on three hits, walking one and striking out one in one inning as the starter. She gave way to Danner Allen (4.1 innings) and Caitlyn Nesbitt (0.2 innings). Ella Fox batted 2 for 3 with a stolen base and one run scored. Maci Strickland and Dani Lee both doubled while Alexia Carrasquilla went 1 for 2 with one RBI.
SUNDAY: LIBERTY 9, DELAWARE 6
The Flames plated five runs, highlighted by a Brynn McManus grand slam, in the bottom of the 6th to round out the comeback against Delaware on Sunday afternoon.
The Blue Hens opened the game with a pair of singles to take the 1-0 lead. Liberty would come right back with four runs in the bottom of the inning, scoring on three singles and three walks. Brooke Roberts had a two-RBI single. After that, Delaware pitcher Karli Challburg retired nine straight Liberty batters to allow her team to claw back and take the lead. Delaware scored five runs over the next four innings to take a 6-4 lead.
In the bottom of the 6th, Paige Doerr led off the frame with a single. Savannah Nash then pinch hit and got a double. Ella Fox’s squeeze bunt scored Doerr. After Jessee walked to load the bases, McManus stepped to the plate where she smashed her 7th home run of the season, giving Liberty the lead. It was her second career grand slam and first since May 9, 2024 against UTEP.
Camden Anders earned the win and improved to 8-2 on the season. She allowed six runs, five earned, while walking three and striking out five. McManus was 3 for 4 on the day with four RBI and two runs scored as Liberty improved to 4-14 when trailing after five innings this season. The Flames have six come from behind wins on the year.
ON TAP
3/31 vs North Carolina, 6 p.m., ESPN+
4/2 @ Missouri State, 7 p.m., ESPN+
4/3 @ Missouri State, 4 p.m., ESPN+
4/4 @ Missouri State, 12 p.m.
NOTABLE SEASON STATS
Alexia Carrasquillo…..323 batting average, 12 runs, 6 doubles, 7 HR, 26 RBI
Savannah Jessee………347 batting average, 5 doubles, 6 HR, 22 RBI
Ella Fox…………………..327 batting average, 6 doubles, 3 triples, 26 runs
Brynn McManus………245 batting average, 17 runs, 2 doubles, 7 HR, 22 RBI
Paige Doerr………………244 batting average, 15 runs, 3 doubles, 3 HR, 16 RBI
Gabby Mike 2-7, 4.16 ERA, 64.0 innings pitched
Camden Anders 8-2, 3.06 ERA, 64.0 innings pitched
Danner Allen 4-1, 5.44 ERA, 36.0 innings pitched
Caitlyn Nesbitt 1-1, 6.10 ERA, 20.2 innings pitched
CUSA STANDINGS
Jax State…………….11-1, 26-10
Liberty………………..9-3, 16-17
Sam Houston………9-3, 24-15
Western Kentucky…8-4, 24-8
New Mexico St…….7-5, 17-18
FIU…………………….5-7, 23-12
Delaware……………..5-7, 16-19
LA Tech……………….5-7, 19-16
Missouri State………4-8, 15-17
Middle Tennessee…3-9, 13-19
Kennesaw State…….3-9, 7-25
UTEP…………………..3-9, 11-20
