Backs Against the Wall

Justin Sizemore’s home run helped Liberty advance to today’s semifinals

Since the Flames’ opening game loss to Radford on Tuesday, they have had their backs against the wall facing elimination with one more loss. On Wednesday, they were able to take the lead in the bottom of the 8th before beating Charleston Southern 2-1. On Thursday, the Flames trailed Radford 2-1 with two outs in the top of the ninth before Justin Sizemore’s two-run home run. The Flames won 3-2.

Now the Flames must face the hurdle that they have yet to overcome, Coastal Carolina. Today’s game is scheduled for 1pm, and Liberty must beat the Chanticleers twice in order to advance to Saturday’s Championship. The Flames have lost 20 consecutive games to the Chanticleers dating back to the 2008 Big South Tournament. Coastal has ended Liberty’s season 3 times during that stretch. Coastal has won the Big South Baseball Championship 6 consecutive seasons and 10 of the past 12. Not to mention their current 17 game Big South Tournament win streak.

Talk about having your back against the wall.