LYNCHBURG, Va. — Sam Houston dropped the Conference USA series opener 9-4 to No. 22 Liberty on Thursday at Liberty Softball Field.
The Bearkats (23-22, 11-8 CUSA) couldn't recover from an early deficit against the conference leading Flames.
Liberty jumped out to a quick lead with three runs in the first inning off Sam Houston starter Tiffany Sanchez.
Samantha Graeter got the Bearkats on the board with a solo home run over the left-field fence in the top of the second.
Liberty answered with two more runs in the third to push the lead to 5-1.
Sam Houston took advantage of defensive miscues in the fourth to cut into the lead. Hallie Day delivered a sacrifice fly to score Graeter, and Jenny Robison was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to make it 6-4.
The Flames responded again, scoring three runs in the sixth to pull away.
Sanchez (5-2) took the loss after allowing five runs on four hits in two innings. Makenzi Jenkins pitched four innings in relief, giving up four runs on five hits.
Sam Houston will look to even the series Friday. First pitch is set for 3 p.m., and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.
