LYNCHBURG, Va. (WFXR) — Liberty softball roared back from a three-run deficit to defeat No. 6 Clemson, 4-1, thanks to a two-run walk-off single by Rachel Craine.
The Flames rattled two-time All-American pitcher Valerie Cagle in the bottom of the seventh after K.C. Machado hit a one-out single to left, sparking a run of six straight Flames players reaching base during the four-out rally. Mary Claire Wilson and Devyn Howard each singled to load the bases before Caroline Hudson and Rachel Roupe were dealt walks to trim the Clemson lead to 4-3.
Craine’s single to center field drove the tying and winning runs to secure Liberty’s third win against a Top 25 team this season.
“Honestly, it was like the best moment I’ve had in my life, I mean basically. I can’t even describe what I was feeling. As soon as I hit it, I was like I knew we had speed on the bases. I just knew I had to put the ball in play,” Craine said. “Just the moment it was just crazy seeing all my teammates run after me like that, it was just amazing. I can’t even describe it.”
The sixth-ranked Tigers are tied for the highest-ranked opponent Liberty has ever beaten in softball after the Flames beat No. 6 Michigan in 2007 and 2020.
