The state-ranked Liberty Lady Panthers, led by an all-state performer, defeated the Lady Lions 8-2 Monday in Livingston.
Liberty's Bayleigh Taylor swatted two home runs in a 3-for-4 day at the plate. The junior, who is already committed to play college ball at Florida State, also struck out 16 Livingston hitters and allowed just two hits over seven frames.
A triple and two RBI-singles got Liberty started in the top of the second with a 2-0 lead.
They doubled the margin in the third, when Taylor homered over the left field wall.
Livingston cut the lead in half in the bottom of the fourth. Alexyis Richardson walked and stole a base, and Taylor Wright singled. Raigen Long laid down a sacrifice bunt that produced a run. Later, an errant throw from catcher back to the pitcher allowed Wright to sprint in.
The rest of the night belonged to the Lady Panthers. Taylor swatted her second home run, this one over the wall in center field. A throwing error and two-run home run finished the scoring.
Livingston loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth with one out, but could not get a run across.
Liberty’s Taylor had three RBIs and three runs scored, while teammate Key scored twice, collected three hits and two RBIs.
For Livingston, Wright was 2-for-3 with a run scored. Long had a hit and an RBI, and threw a clean two-thirds of an inning in relief.
