Five runs in the sixth inning proved to be the difference as the Liberty Flames burned the Texas A&M Aggies Saturday afternoon in College Station, Texas.
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — The nation’s top-ranked softball team, Texas A&M, opened Saturday’s winner’s bracket game with all the momentum, but the heat wasn’t the only thing that flared up at Davis Diamond.
Despite a dominant start, the Aggies saw their early lead evaporate as Liberty erupted for a five-run sixth inning to secure a stunning 8-5 comeback win.
The Aggies, riding high after a statement victory on Friday, wasted no time jumping ahead in front of a packed home crowd.
In the bottom of the second, with the bases loaded, Kramer Eschey’s grounder to third plated Amari Harper—initially called out at the plate. But after a review, the call was overturned, and the run stood. Moments later, Kelsey Matthis lofted a blooper to right field that Liberty couldn’t reel in, making it 2-0. Kennedy Powell followed with an infield single, scoring another to extend the lead to 3-0.
By the end of the second inning, the Aggies appeared to be in control, leading 4-0. But the resilient Flames had other plans.
Liberty’s KK Madrey ignited the comeback in the top of the third with an RBI triple off the wall, making it 4-1. A&M added one more to make it 5-1, but the Flames began chipping away.
In the sixth, with feel-like temperatures soaring to 104 degrees, Liberty brought the real heat. A two-run single pulled them even, and then Madrey struck again—this time with a towering two-run homer to give Liberty an 8-5 lead. All five runs came in the top half of the sixth, turning the game on its head.
Texas A&M, known for late-game magic, entered the bottom of the seventh needing a rally. Liberty, however, held firm, notching their 19th comeback win of the season and dealing the Aggies a rare postseason loss.