A 3-2 week, with both losses coming to ACC powers by a combined three runs, was a promising showing by the Flames. Liberty is now 6-5 on the year and 3-1 in home games, after their first week of hosting.
Shawn Clowers is already 3-0 on the season.
The Flames recorded their first sweep of the season this past weekend, soaring past Bryant by scores of 3-2, 6-1, and 11-4. Liberty won game one by scoring two runs in the 8th off a double steal play that Bryant defended very sloppily, allowing Tray Roberts to score all the way from first base. The Flames won game two behind a dominant pitching performance from incoming transfer, Victor Cole, who went nine innings only allowing a single hit. Liberty would round out the weekend by dominating in game three, 11-4, behind a grand slam by freshman, Josh Close.
Unfortunately, Jim Toman’s squad was not able to keep up their weekend form and dropped both midweek games. A late game rally was not enough for the Flames against 11th ranked UNC, scoring a run in both the eighth and ninth innings to lose 6-4. The Flames engaged in a pitchers duel at Duke last night, but Duke’s committee approach would prevail, holding the Flames to just three hits en route to a 3-2 victory that moved the Blue Devils to 10-1 on the year.
Results
Bryant W 2-3
Bryant W 6-1
Bryant W 11-4
UNC L 4-6
Duke L 2-3
Now for pretty much the most prestigious weekly baseball award given to a collegiate player, which athletes all across the southern side of the Lynchburg metropolitan area dream of one day winning, your FlamesNation Player of the Week.
Victor Cole
liberty.edu
Cole recorded Liberty’s first complete game in game 2 of the Bryant series, holding the Bulldogs to just a single hit in the dominant pitching performance. Cole struck out eight while only walking two, leaving Bryant without an offense on Saturday.
After Cole’s first win as a Flame, one gets the feeling that he will play a very large role in Liberty’s bullpen efforts. In fact, Victor currently leads all pitchers with 17.1 innings pitched for the Flames thus far.
Upcoming
Mar 06 3:00 vs Kent State
Mar 07 2:00 vs Kent State
Mar 07 6:00 vs Kent State
Mar 08 1:00 vs Kent State
Mar 10 3:00 vs West Virginia
Liberty is at home all week, so make sure to get out and support the FlameTrain!
