After defeating Virginia Tech at Liberty Baseball Stadium on Wednesday, the Flames were swept at Dallas Baptist in a Conference USA series. Liberty falls to 11-10 in CUSA and 22-29 overall. The Flames finish its road portion of its CUSA schedule, going 4-8 on the road in conference this season. Liberty now prepares for the final week of the regular season.

WEDNESDAY: LIBERTY 13, VIRGINIA TECH 8

Liberty downed in-state foe Virginia Tech on Wednesday at Liberty Baseball Stadium. Trailing 4-1 after one inning, the Flames erupted for 11 unanswered runs over the next three innings to take a commanding 12-4 lead and went on to claim the victory.

The Flames scored five runs in the second inning to take a 6-4 advantage, taking the lead on a three run home run by  second baseman Aidan Sweatt and never trailed in the contest after that. Sweatt had three hits and four RBI in the game. His home run was his fourth of the season. Macaddin Dye was one of four Flames with two hits in the contest. He drove in three runs. First baseman John Simmons also had two hits, including an inside the park home run and scored three times while Todd Hudson belted his sixth home run of the year.

The third of six Liberty pitchers in the contest, Cale Bolton, picked up the win. He gave up one run on three hits over 2.1 innings while striking out four. Josh Swink pitched two scoreless innings, allowing just one hit.

FRIDAY: DALLAS BAPTIST 5, LIBERTY 2

Liberty dropped the series opener at Dallas Baptist on Friday night at Homer Ballpark in the first ever meeting between the two programs

It was a pitcher’s duel throughout much of the contest as DBU All-America Ryan Johnson and Liberty’s Cole Hertzler held their opponents in check. The Patriots used timely hitting to take advantage of a two-out walk in the first and an error in the third to take a 3-0 advantage.

The Flames would cut the lead to 4-2 in the eighth on a two-out, two-run home run by Brayden Horton, his team-leading 11th of the season. However, that would be all the offense the Flames would get on the night. Horton also had a double in the contest.

Hertzler took the loss, allowing four runs, two earned, on three hits over seven innings. He struck out eight and walked the three. It was the longest outing of his career, as he has gone seven innings three times now this season.

SATURDAY GAME 1: DALLAS BAPTIST 4, LIBERTY 3

In game one of a double header on Saturday, runs were at a premium. Liberty carried a 3-1 lead into the bottom of the ninth inning. Second baseman Aidan Sweatt had a hit and run RBI single and designated hitter Todd Hudson hit two solo home runs to put the Flames ahead.

However, after Liberty’s pitching had extinguished several scoring threats in the late innings, DBU designated hitter Tom Poole belted a three run home run in the bottom of the ninth for the 4-3 walk-off win.

Liberty reliever Garrett McLaughlin, the third Flames reliever in the contest, takes the loss. He only faced one batter. Starter Nick Moran did not a low a run over the first 4.1 innings, leaving with two men on in the fifth inning. He struck out six batters and walked

SATURDAY GAME 2: DALLAS BAPTIST 5, LIBERTY 1

In game two, the host Patriots led from start to finish. Pitcher Jerrod Jenkins pitched 5.2 innings of scoreless relief as DBU built a 5-0 advantage through seven innings.

Liberty center fielder Kane Kepley belted his eighth home run of the year in the eighth inning for the Flames only run. No Liberty player had more than one hit in the game. Flames’ starter Todd Hudson took the loss in game two. He gave up one run on one hit and walked one. Relievers Trey Cooper and Trey Carter each threw a scoreless inning of relief.

Up Next: The Flames conclude the regular season with four games scheduled this week. Liberty will travel to Winston-Salem, North Carolina to play Wake Forest with first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m. The Flames will play its final series at home beginning Thursday night at 6 p.m. against Louisiana Tech. Liberty will also meet the Bulldogs on Friday at 4 p.m. and Saturday at 1.

Current CUSA Standings

Dallas Baptist……..15-6, 38-12
Louisiana Tech……15-6, 38-15
Western Kentucky…13-8, 32-19
Liberty…………………11-10, 22-29
Sam Houston……….10-11, 30-21
FIU………………………..11-13, 25-25
NMSU…………………..9-12, 24-25
Middle Tenn………….7-14, 19-32
Jax State……………..5-16, 18-31