The Liberty University softball team saw its historic season come to an end on Sunday after losing to South Carolina 5-0 in a winner-take-all final of the NCAA Columbia Regional.
The loss could not tarnish a season in which the Lady Flames won a program-record 49 games after winning 46 games in 2017. After beating No. 9-ranked South Carolina on Friday, they needed just one more victory to advance to their first ever NCAA Super Regional. Unfortunately, the Gamecocks beat the Lady Flames on Saturday and Sunday to end their season.
“First, I’d like to thank Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior because He loves us, win or lose,” head coach Dot Richardson said after Sunday’s 5-0 loss. “I want to congratulate South Carolina. They beat us. In 30 years of playing the game, I haven’t figured out a way to win if we don’t score.”
Liberty advanced to just its third NCAA Regional Tournament, and last Thursday, won its first ever NCAA Regional game, beating No. 24 Hofstra, 2-0 — the team’s first NCAA postseason shutout and first win over a top-25 team since 2007. Liberty is now 2-6 all-time in three trips to NCAA Regional play.
“It was such a blessing to have this opportunity to be here,” Coach Richardson said. “I want to thank the NCAA, Liberty University. I’m so proud of this team. Proud of these ladies. The Lord has brought us some amazing players.”
The Lady Flames have won 95 games the last two seasons, posting consecutive 40-win years for the first time in the history of the program.
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