The FlameTrain seems to be on a roller coaster track this season. Just when it seems like it is all coming together for Jim Toman’s squad, they seem to hit a rough patch. That wasn’t the case this week though, where it’s been all smooth sailing. Liberty swept conference foe, Presbyterian this past weekend before taking down Presbyterian and then Charleston Southern in an early weekend match-up.
Results
Mar 27 7:00 vs Presbyterian W 9-5
Mar 28 3:00 vs Presbyterian W 4-1
Mar 29 2:00 vs Presbyterian W 9-3
Mar 31 6:00 vs ODU W 9-7
Apr 02 6:00 @ CSU W 3-1
The Flames have been red hot at the plate lately, led by Becker Sankey who homered in four straight contests while also tallying seven hits over the five game slate.
This run of games has catapulted the Flames to third place in the Big South, just a single game back of first place where Radford and Coastal currently sit at 5-1 in Big South play.
$1 Hot Dog Challenge
The glorious occasion, otherwise known as $1 Hot Dog Night, is quickly approaching. On April 10th against Campbell, the Liberty concession stand will be selling hot dogs for a dollar, less than half the usual rate. If you’re not familiar with the delicacy, I must tell you that Liberty sells a quality ballpark dog.
Anyways, I made a big mistake this week. For some reason, after the UVA game I decided to tell some friends that I would eat as many hot dogs at 1$ Hot Dog Night as games that the Flames win up to that point (9 possible games). At the time, the Flames had been struggling, but since then they have gone on a five game winning streak and each win becomes more and more bittersweet for my precious tummy. Hopefully I’ll be able to channel my inner Takeru Kobayashi and keep my word. Lesson learned; never commit to an eating challenge while hungry.
I’ll keep you updated on this journey.
Will Shepherd
After a promising freshman campaign for Shepherd, the outfielder began 2015 in a bit of a slump. Many were questioning whether or not Shepherd is as good as his 2014 performance suggested. Shepherd has heard none of it, though. Back in the two hole of the Liberty lineup, Shepherd recorded nine hits in Liberty’s five games this past week. Shepherd, along with Nick Paxton and Ashton Perritt, complete a potentially lethal outfield for the Flames. His recent emergence this year has been a huge key to Liberty’s success over the past week.
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.
Becker Sankey
liberty.edu
As previously mentioned, Becker Sankey had a ridiculous four game home-run streak this past week. Not a hit streak, a HOME-RUN STREAK. He has been huge for the Flames this year, batting .303 (second on the team), and slugging .616, good for best on the team, while also leading the Flames with eight homers.
This is Sankey’s second Flames Nation Player of the Week award this year. He is the first Flame to receive this illustrious prize twice this year, because he’s just been too darn good. Keep up the good work Becker!
Upcoming
Apr 03 4:00 @ Charleston Southern
Apr 04 2:00 @ Charleston Southern
Apr 08 6:00 @ North Carolina
The Flames will be resuming play tonight with their second game of the Charleston Southern series. You can stream the game at http://www.bigsouthsports.com/live/10747
