SPARTANBURG, S.C. – In Friday's opening games of the USC Upstate Invitational, the Savannah State Softball squad dropped two games to Liberty University. Despite a late rally, the Lady Tigers fell 6-8 in game one, and were later routed 7-1 in the nightcap.

Savannah State went up 2-0 in the opening inning of the first game. Lead-off hitter Shamyra Adams walked and was advanced to second on a wild pitch and later to third on a sacrifice bunt from Megan Uhrman. India Morgan plated Adams on a 2-run homerun to centerfield.

Liberty University failed to answer the two runs in the first inning, but took the lead in the second, scoring four runs on some costly errors from the Lady Tigers.

The Lady Flames added four more runs in the fourth inning to take an 8-2 lead over Savannah State. Morgan, Chelsea Parrish and Madison Hedderly all singled to load the bases in the sixth inning. Amber Hallman scored Destiny Webster, who was pinch-running for Parrish, and Morgan on a single. Ariona Hagood, pinch running for Hedderly, was later scored on a groundout from Tiffany Davies. Katherine Stewart flied out to left field, scoring Hallman.

The sixth inning rally from Savannah State cut Liberty University's lead to two points, but was not enough to overcome the Lady Flames in the final inning.

Morgan led the Lady Tigers, going 3-for-4 at the plate with a double and homerun. Hallman was 2-for-3. Davies was tagged with the pitching loss after 6 innings on the bump. She allowed 8 runs, 1 earned, on 10 hits with 5 strikeouts and no walks. Alyssa Dimartino was tagged with the win after pitching a complete game, allowing 6 runs, all earned, on 7 hits with 2 walks and 1 strikeout.

In game two the Lady Flames took a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning. Savannah State answered with one run in the bottom of the same inning. Morgan reached on a single and scored later on a wild pitch.  Liberty University scored five more runs in the last three innings to route the Lady Tigers 7-1.

Hedderly was tagged with the pitching loss after a complete game in the circle. She allowed 7 runs, 6 earned on 10 hits with 7 strikeouts and 1 walk.  Chandler Ball won on the mound after 7 innings of work. She allowed 1 run, no earned, on 4 hits with 5 strikeouts and two walks.

Savannah State continues play in the USC Upstate Invitational, facing off with LaSalle University at 12 p.m., Saturday, February 25th and later with USC Upstate at 4 p.m.