What a team. What a weekend. What a game. History made for the Lady Flames.

Sunday had all the emotions. All the swings back and forth. But Liberty got it done, coming from behind to defeat No. 1 Texas A&M, 6-5, and advance to the program’s first ever Super Regionals.

It was the goal of this team ever since coming one out away from reaching the Supers a year ago before losing to Georgia. Head coach Dot Richardson was not shy about that being goal all year, frequently mentioning how this team’s goal was to reach a level it has never reached before. On Sunday, Liberty finally reached that plateau.

“We tasted the appetizer, we are ready for the entree.”

That was what Coach Dot kept saying in reference to the team coming close to the Super Regional but not quite making it. Now, the Lady Flames can feast.

After a back and forth and whirlwind first Regional Final game earlier in the day on Sunday where Liberty had the winning run on third base in the bottom of the seventh inning before the host Aggies recorded that final out and then battled back for the extra inning win, the Flames fell behind to start the win or go home game. Texas A&M scored the first two runs of the game in the bottom of the second with a two-run home run off Liberty starter Elena Escobar. The nation’s No. 1 overall seed added a third run after a review ruled Liberty third baseman Rachel Craine obstructed the base runner trying to get to third base. Armed with an extra out, A&M took advantage and knocked in their third run of the game.

Texas A&M starting pitcher Sydney Lessentine was able to keep the Flames off the scoreboard through the first four innings. Liberty would finally get to her when CUSA Player of the Year Rachel Roupe blasted a home run off the video board in right field.

Liberty was down to its final four outs to work with on offense, trailing 3-1 in the bottom of the sixth. Savannah Jessee, who had not had a base hit throughout the entire Regional weekend, was able to turn on a pitch and hit a two-run home run to tie the game. The Lady Flames weren’t done though. After a walk and a single, Roupe hit her third home run of the day, second of the game, this one a three-run shot that gave Liberty its first lead of the game at 6-3, Roupe’s 23rd home run of the season..

As was the case in all three games between these two teams this weekend, the Aggies would battle back. In the bottom of the sixth, they hit a solo home run and would eventually chase Escobar. Coach Richardson elected to go to sophomore Kaylan Yoder in the circle, making her first appearance of the Regional. Yoder would allow an RBI infield single, but did record the final two outs of the inning with Liberty clinging to a 6-5 lead.

After the Flames were retired in order in the seventh, Yoder returned to the circle. A single was sandwiched in between two flyouts as Liberty was once again just one out away from making history. Yoder would issue a walk to put the potential game-tying run in scoring position and winning run on first. Facing senior Kramer Eschete, Yoder had a full count before getting the veteran to swing and miss, leading to the on field celebration for the visiting Flames and shock from the home town Aggies.

Eliminating the No. 1 overall national seed, Texas A&M became the first ever top seed to not reach the Super Regionals since softball adopted this format in 2005. Saturday’s win over Texas A&M was Liberty’s first against the top ranked team in program history and now owns two such wins.

Escobar picked up the win, improving to 25-3 on the season. She threw over 400 pitches on the weekend, finishing the final game of the Regional by pitching 5.1 innings while allowing 10 hits and five runs. Yoder picked up her first save of the season, pitching 1.2 scoreless innings of relief.

Roupe was 3 for 4 at the plate in the final game with two home runs, two runs scored, and four RBI. She had three of Liberty’s seven hits in the game.

Liberty will take on No. 16 Oregon in the best of three Super Regional series in Euguen, Oregon. Game 1 is scheduled for Friday night at 10 p.m. on ESPNU. The winner of the Super Regional will advance to the Women’s College World Series.

*photo courtesy Liberty Athletics