Liberty University defeated James Madison University in a close softball game, 9-8, on March 10 at Veterans Memorial Park. The win was secured by Liberty’s five-run top of the sixth inning, which included three consecutive home runs.
The game was significant as both teams displayed strong offensive performances. James Madison finished with eight runs on 11 hits and no errors, while Liberty recorded nine runs on five hits and zero errors.
Kylee Gleason led the Dukes with a three-hit performance, her first of the season. Emily LeGrand contributed two hits, including a home run and two runs batted in. Kendra Lewis hit her team-leading sixth home run of the year. For Liberty, Alexia Carrasquillo, Savannah Jessee, and Brynn McManus each hit home runs during the decisive sixth inning. Camden Anders earned the win for Liberty by pitching the final 3.1 innings.
Liberty started strong with three runs in the first inning before James Madison responded to tie the game at 3-3 in their half of the first. After trading leads through the middle innings, James Madison took a 6-4 advantage in the fourth thanks to Lewis’s two-run homer and an RBI single from Gleason. However, Liberty’s surge in the sixth put them ahead for good.
LeGrand hit a two-run homer in the seventh to bring James Madison within one run, but they were unable to complete a comeback.
James Madison will begin Sun Belt Conference play against Georgia Southern in Statesboro, Georgia. The three-game series is scheduled to start Friday, March 13 at 6 p.m., with coverage available on ESPN+.
