Just about a month ago, the Liberty Flames were 11-1 overall, having won 11 straight and were coming off a win at home over top 15 North Carolina. The Flames were ranked in the top 15 in all major top 25 polls and thoughts of hosting a Regional seemed to be a real possibility.
Liberty would then struggle to win just six of 15 games, including Wednesday’s setback in Charlottesville against No. 3 Virginia. The Flames had lost two straight ASUN series and seemed to be in grave jeopardy of competing in the top half of the conference. Liberty seems to calm those fears this weekend, with a three-game sweep of previously first place in the ASUN’s East Division FGCU.
WEDNESDAY: NO. 3 VIRGINIA 7, LIBERTY 2
Facing one of the top teams in the country in Charlottesville, the Flames had the chance to jump on top in the first inning when catcher Gray Betts opened the game with a double. Liberty was unable to bring him around to score and the Cavaliers would take the lead, thanks to an error, in the home half of the first.
Liberty would tie the game at 1 in the fourth, but Virginia scored a run in the bottom half of the inning to go back in front. The Cavaliers would plate three runs in the fifth to pull away on the scoreboard. Derek Orndorff hit his 12th home run in the eighth inning and Betts finished the evening with two hits.
FRIDAY: LIBERTY 11, FGCU 3
Coach Jackson shook things up with the infield prior to Friday night’s game against ASUN East Division leader FGCU, as Nathan Keeter made his first start at second, Stephen Hill moved to short, and Cam Foster played third.
Making his second straight Friday night start, Garrett Horn provided what the Flames needed. He finished the game pitching 5.1 innings while allowing two runs on four hits and striking out nine. The only runs he gave up were leadoff home runs in the second and sixth. Liberty fell behind 1-0 in the second, but quickly bounced back with three in the second and a run each in the third and the fourth.
Outfielders Derek Orndorff and Aaron Anderson each had three hits in the contest to lead the Flames. Orndorff also drove in two runs and scored a run in the contest. First baseman Logan Mathieu added two hits and two RBI for Liberty.
SATURDAY: LIBERTY 8, FGCU 3
Making his first weekend start of the season, Dylan Cumming had his best performance of the year. He pitched eight innings, allowing three runs, only one earned, while striking out five. It was enough for the Flames on Saturday to clinch the series win over the Eagles.
FGCU took the early lead, 2-0, after Stephen Hill booted a ball at shortstop. The next batter blasted a two-run home run. The Flames would battle right back as Derek Orndorff singled before a Three Hillier home run tied it at two in the bottom of the fourth. A later Orndorff triple would score Aaron Anderson prior to a Hillier RBI knocked in Orndorff as Liberty took the lead at 4-2.
The Eagles would keep the pressure on with a solo home run in the sixth to draw to just one run at 4-3. The Flames would get some separation in the bottom of the eight, scoring four runs in the frame.
SUNDAY: LIBERTY 8, FGCU 2
Liberty jumped on top first with four runs in the first inning. Derek Orndorff, Brady Gulakowski, and Stephen Hill all had RBI hits in the frame. That would be all that starter Joe Adametz would need, as he would pitch seven innings, allowing just one run over that time.
The Flames would tack on additional runs in the third, fourth, and seventh, giving the Liberty pitching staff plenty of breathing room on Sunday afternoon to secure the sweep. Gray Betts had three hits in the win, while Hill had three RBIs, including a solo home run in the seventh.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK: DEREK ORNDORFF
Orndorff seemingly could be named the team’s player of the week every single week. He just does everything for the team and continues to come through in the clutch. Coach Jackson moved him to the three-hole this weekend against FGCU and it paid huge dividends for the Flames. Orndorff was 7 for 13 batting in the three games against the Eagles, while scoring four runs and driving in six as he continues to be one of the most dangerous hitters not just in the ASUN but in the entire country.
PITCHER OF THE WEEK: WEEKEND STARTERS
While the team struggled over much of the past month, it was the weekend starters who failed to get any distance in games that proved to be costly. Rarely would the starters get into the late innings, as head coach Scott Jackson had to go to the bullpen early and often. That wasn’t the case this weekend, as the three weekend starters combined to pitch 20.1 innings while allowing just four earned runs.
It started on Friday night when Garrett Horn got into the sixth inning, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out nine and walking three. Dylan Cumming raised the standard on Saturday, pitching 8 innings and allowing three runs, just one earned, while striking out five and not walking anyone for the win. After getting the early lead, Joe Adametz was able to settle in on Sunday, pitching 7 innings while allowing one run and scattering four hits.
ON TAP
Liberty concludes its home stand on Tuesday night against Virginia Tech with first pitch scheduled for 6 p.m. The Hokies are currently 20-8 overall and 7-6 in ACC play. VT are coming off a weekend series win at home, taking two of three over the NC State Wolfpack.
This weekend, the Flames head to Georgia to take on Kennesaw State for a three-game series beginning Friday night at 6 p.m. The Owls are currently in first place in the ASUN East Division at 10-2 in conference play and a 21-9 overall mark. The Owls have swept every ASUN opponent they have faced, except for one, including this past weekend against Stetson. KSU did drop two of three at FGCU.
ASUN STANDINGS
East
Kennesaw State…………10-2, 21-9
Liberty……………………….7-5, 20-10
FGCU…………………………7-5, 20-12
Jacksonville………………4-8, 16-13
Stetson……………………..4-8, 16-15
North Florida……………..4-8, 13-19
West
Eastern Kentucky………8-4, 21-11
Central Arkansas………8-4, 13-17
Lipscomb………………….7-5, 18-14
Jacksonville State…….7-5, 13-16
Bellarmine…………………4-8, 6-25
North Alabama………….2-10, 8-22
