We have decided to change the name of our weekly News & Notes piece to something a little more exciting. The name we have chosen, as you can see, is FlamesNation Fuel. The idea is that the information contained here, is weekly fuel for the fire that burns inside each of us who are part of FlamesNation. This fuel will hopefully cause the passion within each of you to burn more intensely. This is the main reason FlamesNation was ever created, so it fits. Maybe you think it’s cheesy, and that’s fine. Anwyays, here’s this week’s FlamesNation Fuel.
SPRING GAME ON SATURDAY
This Saturday is Liberty’s annual spring game, held at 4pm at Williams Stadium. The complete breakdown of the scoring system for the game can be found here. Several other activities coincide with the spring game, including an athletics yard sale prior to the game. The yard sale will feature new and used Liberty Athletics apparel including worn game day jerseys, equipment, and shoes. At halftime of the game, Coach Gill will name the Luke 2:52 award winner (Whole Person Development) and Samkon Gado award winners (most improved offensive, defensive and special teams players of the spring).
MASHA LEADING QB BATTLE
We met with Coach Gill last Friday following the team’s workout, and he said that junior Stephon Masha is the “leading guy” in the quarterback battle right now. This doesn’t necessarily come as a surprise due to Masha’s experience. We’ll see how this battle continues to shake out as the team closes out spring workouts. We’re expecting to receive an updated depth chart in a couple weeks. Don’t forget, 3-star Stephen Calvert joins the battle this summer. He will have plenty of ground to make up though if he wants to supplant Masha in time for the opener at Virginia Tech.
PACHECO AND JAMES OFFICIALLY JOIN MBB TEAM
Jorge “Georgie” Pacheco-Ortiz signed his NLI on Wednesday to officially join the men’s basketball team. Pacheco is a 6’1” point guard from Deep Run High School in Glen Allen, Virginia. He joins the class of 2016 which includes Xzavier Barmore, Brock Gardner, Josiah Talbert, Brody Hicks and Hayden Koval.
Coach McKay also officially announced the addition of Scottie James. James is a freshman forward from Bradley who has decided to transfer to Liberty. The 6’8” forward appeared in 30 games for the Braves this past season, while averaging 3.2 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. He will be eligible for competition during the 2017-18 season after sitting out one year due to NCAA transfer rules. James will have 3 years of eligibility remaining.
MAXWELL NARROWS LIST TO TOP 3
Evan Maxwell, who is transferring from Liberty, has reportedly narrowed his list to Baylor, Virginia Tech, and Boston College. This according to ESPN’s Jeff Goodman. The 6’10” rising junior averaged 10 points and 4.8 rebounds per game this past season. Goodman reports that Maxwell is scheduled to take visits to Baylor and Virginia Tech.
D.J. Artis
Outfield
Artis is leading the team with a .407 batting average, 32 runs scored, 50 hits, 35 walks, and 13 steals. His .545 on base percentage leads the Big South and ranks 8th nationally.
FLAMES TAKE 2 OF 3 FROM CSU
Liberty moved to 5-4 in Big South play following last weekend’s 3 game series with Charleston Southern. The 5-4 mark puts the Flames in a 3-way tie for 4th place with Presbyterian and Campbell. LU won the series opener Friday night, 10-2, behind 3 hits and 3 RBI’s by freshman outfielder D.J. Artis. Victor Cole allowed 2 runs on 9 hits in 7 innings to pick up his 3rd win of the season. The Flames could only scrounge up 3 hits against the Buccaneers on Saturday, as they fell 6-1. Liberty did rebound on Sunday to take the series, following a 9-6 victory. The Flame Train is at Campbell this weekend for a 3 game series with the Camels.
SOFTBALL IMPROVES TO 8-4 IN BIG SOUTH
The Lady Flames defeated Presbyterian 2 out of 3 games last weekend in Clinton, South Carolina to move to 8-4 in Big South play. Liberty remains one game behind first place Longwood. Dot Richardson’s squad also dropped both games of a double header against Marshall at home on Wednesday. Liberty plays host to Campbell for a 3-game series this weekend.
