LOUISVILLE, Ky.--The Liberty University softball team was able to complete the sweep over Bellarmine as they edged out the Knights in a pair of close games in their doubleheader Saturday with final scores of 3-0 and 2-0.
In the first game, senior Natalie Magnus turned in her best start of the season for Bellarmine in the circle, tossing her first complete game of the year while giving up three runs (two unearned) and recording three strikeouts. The Knights offense couldn't provide Magnus enough run support to turn her strong effort into a win. Junior pitcher Emily Kirby was able to shut down the Bellarmine offense for the most part, also going the distance while giving up one hit, and striking out 15.
Shortstop Hannah Webb provided the Knights with their only two baserunners of the game, leading off the bottom of the fourth with a single hit sharply up the middle and adding a walk with two outs in the sixth.
The Flames were held in check until the 6th inning, but a Bellarmine throwing error preceded by back-to-back singles to start the frame by twin sisters Amber and Autumn Bishop allowed the first run of the game to cross the plate. A fielder's choice on a ground ball hit by catcher Caroline Hudson brought in a second run. Liberty added an insurance run in the seventh on a solo homerun by junior Emily Sweat, her fourth of the year.
The Knights were able to get the potential tying run to the plate in the bottom of the seventh inning in game two, but they couldn't come up with the big hit they needed to break them out of their 5-game scoreless drought. Another stellar outing from Freshman Carson Goatley kept the Flames in check until the top of the seventh, but a fielding error allowed the Flames a leadoff baserunner. The defensive miscue would prove to be costly when Liberty right fielder Madison Via followed with a single that set up an Autumn Bishop two-run double that would end up being the difference in the game.
Goatley ended up stranding the runner on second and finishing the complete game, racking up three strikeouts and surrendering two unearned runs. Her counterpart in the circle, Junior Megan Johnson went 6 innings for the Flames, striking out 5 and exiting the game after getting in a jam in the bottom of the seventh.
It was a picture-perfect start to the final frame for Bellarmine when Carson Goatley continued her impressive day with a leadoff single. A fielding error and a sac bunt put the tying run in scoring position for the Knights with one out, which prompted Liberty to turn to game one starter Emily Kirby to get the final outs. Kirby shut the door on the Bellarmine rally quickly, striking out one and forcing a pop out to the second basemen to end the game.
The losses drop Bellarmine to 4-16 on the year and 0-6 in ASUN play. Looking ahead, the Knights will be in action again next when they start a 3-game series at Marshall University. First pitch of the Saturday doubleheader will be at noon in Huntington, West Virginia.
