While most people on April 8th were focused on the eclipse, the Liberty Hurricane softball team was focused on their game against the undefeated Easton Red Rovers. The Hurricanes knew the challenge they were about to face, but were ready to bring up a fight.
Starting on the mound for Liberty was sophomore Adelynn Smith. Easton started off the inning strong by being the first to get on the board. Ella Swartz got Alyssa Mayorca in with a sac fly to right field. Easton pitcher Audrey Rinda made it a scoreless first inning for the Hurricanes, but this wouldn’t last long.
In the bottom of the second with two outs, Adrianna O’Neill scored on a wild pitch, loading the bases. Later Ariana Castillo cleared the bases after hitting a spinning grounder to the pitcher that led to an overthrow to first base. She would score Liberty’s fifth run before the Red Rovers got the third out.
The score stayed 5-1 until the fourth inning. Adelynn Smith hit a two-run home run over the left field fence. The Hurricanes continued scoring throughout this inning, keeping the game alive. Mckenna Beck drove a ball deep to left field, bringing in Eloriana Quayle and Castillo in, making the score 12-1 before the fifth inning began.
With bases loaded, Easton was looking for a comeback. They responded with Kaede Walsh hitting one to left field, clearing the bases and making the score 12-5. Later in the top of the sixth, Anna Jones went long for a home run, making the score 12-6. However this is all Easton could do as Liberty added another run to the score and held off Easton in the final inning, making the game final 13-6.
The win not only marks the sixth win for Liberty this season but the first loss for Easton, making their undefeated title no more. It was sure a win to celebrate for the Hurricanes as their talent truly shined during this game. Liberty goes on the road for their next game as they take on the Nazareth Blue Eagles on April 13th.
