Box Score

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Eastern Kentucky senior Jena Handley drove in three runs with a double in the top of the eighth inning, but Liberty University scored four runs in the bottom half of the inning to edge the Colonels 12-11 today at the Campus Suites Spartan Classic hosted by the University of South Carolina Upstate.

With the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the eighth, Ashley Bensinger singled up the middle to plate the tying and winning run for Liberty (1-1).

Handley finished 3-for-5 with six RBIs. Raquel Howes was 1-for-3 with a run and three RBIs in her collegiate debut. Freshman Nikki Bruce went 2-for-3 and scored twice.

Bensinger had two hits in three at bats, a run and four RBIs for Liberty. Kelly Strickland went 3-for-5 and scored three times.

Trailing 3-0 in the fifth, Howes drove in a pair of runs with a single to center and Handley tied the score with an RBI single to left field. Eastern Kentucky scored five more in the sixth to go on top 8-3. Handley drove in two more with a two-out single through the right side.

Bensinger’s two-run double in the bottom half of the sixth highlighted a five-run inning for the Flames and the score was tied again. Neither team scored in the seventh, setting up the big eighth inning.

The Colonels will play twice on Saturday. EKU will face Maryland-Baltimore County at 11 a.m., and USC Upstate at 1 p.m.