On Friday, it was pitching that propelled Liberty to win game one of three in Rock Hill, South Carolina. In the rubber-match on Sunday, the Flames utilized the long ball to pick up the win and to clinch the series. It’s the first series win of the year for Liberty as the Flames improve their record to 3-4 this season.
Friday: Liberty 4, Winthrop 0
Things got off to a good start for the Flames on Friday afternoon, picking up the 4-0 shutout victory. It marked the second straight win for Liberty after knocking off Duke in the mid-week.
The Flames took the lead in the third with three runs. The frame was highlighted by a triple from third baseman Cam Foster. An insurance run came in the 8th, as Three Hillier scored as true freshman John Simmons knocked him in for what would be the final margin.
Five pitchers combined to pitch the shutout for the Flames. Garrett Horn pitched five scoreless to start the game, allowing three hits while striking out four. Nick Willard then pitched two perfect innings. Trey Cooper and Jeremy Beamon recorded five outs, giving way to Cole Garrett who recorded the final out.
Saturday: Winthrop 5, Liberty 3
For the second straight day, Liberty again got on the scoreboard first. Victor Castillo and Cam Foster scored in the fourth as the Flames took a 2-0 early advantage, highlighted by a Foster double. Winthrop would battle right back though, tying the game in the home half of the fourth.
Thanks in large part to Jaylen Guy, Liberty wasted little time before getting back in front of the Eagles. In the top of the 5th, Guy reached base on an error and then would steal 2nd and 3rd. The Liberty centerfielder would score on a Gray Betts sacrifice fly to make it 3-2.
In the bottom of the 7th, Winthrop scored three runs, including a two-run triple to take the lead. The Eagles’ bullpen would keep Liberty off the scoreboard in the final two innings to preserve the victory.
Sunday: Liberty 9, Winthrop 7
On Sunday it was Winthrop that took the early lead, scoring a run in both the first and second to claim the 2-0 lead. The Flames would turn to the long ball on the afternoon, smashing three home runs to pick up the win and secure the series win.
Cam Foster got things started in the fourth with a two-run home run to tie the game at two. The Flames would take the lead, 4-2, with an RBI single by Gray Betts and an RBI from Victor Castillo as he grounded into a double play.
The two teams would exchange runs with Winthrop adding one in the bottom of the 6th before Betts hit his second home run of the young season in the top of the 7th to make it 5-3 Liberty. Winthrop would tie things in the bottom of the seventh inning with two runs to make it 5-5.
In the top of the 8th, Will Stewart’s first hit at Liberty was a three-run home run to lift the Flames to an 8-5 lead. Liberty would add an insurance run in the 9th before Winthrop scored two in the home half before the Flames closed the door.
Up Next: The 7-game season opening road trip is over as the Flames will open the home portion of their 2023 schedule on Wednesday. Liberty will take on in-state foe Longwood from just down the road in Farmville with first pitch scheduled for 4 p.m. The Lancers are currently 2-6 on the season. They were swept by Mount Saint Mary’s to open the season, then lost to Virginia and North Carolina by a combined 36-2 score. The Lancers got in the win column this weekend with by taking two of three over Delaware State.
