The Liberty Flames had a disappointing start to the 2023 season in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The Flames were unable to get the bats going all weekend and were swept by Southern Miss, a team that is looking to get back to a Super Regional once again.
FRIDAY: #18 SOUTHERN MISS 3, LIBERTY 0
Despite striking out 16 Golden Eagles, the Liberty Flames fell to No. 18 Southern Miss 3-0 Friday to open the 2023 season. Southern Miss scored single runs in the third, fourth and fifth inning in its victory. 2022 All-American Tanner Hall, Tyler Martin and Justin Storm combined to hold the Flames to one hit, an infield single by designated hitter Victor Castillo in the fifth inning. Catcher Blake Johnson had three hits, including a home run in the contest for Southern Miss.
SATURDAY: #18 SOUTHERN MISS 2, LIBERTY 1
Behind starting pitcher Nick Moran, Liberty took an early 1-0 lead. It wouldn’t be enough as the home-standing Golden Eagles mounted a late-inning comeback to pick up their second win in as many days.
Moran allowed just one hit over the first five innings. Southern Miss, who had just three hits in the contest, tied the game in the seventh and pushed across the go ahead and eventual game winning run in the eighth.
With one out in the eighth and the score tied 1-1, Southern Miss second baseman Gabe Lacy singled through the right side of the infield to score pinch runner Brady Faust from second base to take a 2-1 lead. Faust was pinch-running for Golden Eagles catcher Blake Johnson who reached on an error to open the bottom of the eighth
SUNDAY: #18 SOUTHERN MISS 7, LIBERTY 2
Liberty catcher Gray Betts went 3-for-4 with an RBI. Right fielder Camden Troyer hit his first home run of the season for the Flames in the loss. With Southern Miss leading 3-1 in the bottom of the fifth inning, Liberty opened the top of the sixth by putting runners on first and second with one out against Golden Eagles starter Niko Mazza. After a pitching change, Southern Miss right-hander Billy Oldham ended the Flames’ threat by retiring the next two batters.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK: VICTOR CASTILLO
A transfer from the College of Central Florida where he was named all-state first team, Castillo impressed during his first weekend at Liberty. Playing in left field and also as designated hitter, Castillo was 3 of 10 at the plate this week at Southern Miss. He was one of only two Flames with three hits on the weekend and one of only three that had more than one hit.
PITCHER OF THE WEEK: NICK MORAN
What a great outing for Nick Moran on Saturday as he got the start for the Flames. It was a bit of a surprise to see Moran in the starting weekend rotation after he only had six appearances with one start as a freshman last year while posting a 6.23 ERA. Getting the start Saturday, the lefty pitched five scoreless innings while only allowing one hit with six strikeouts and two walks.
ON TAP
Wednesday, Feb. 22 at Duke, 4:00 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 24 at Winthrop, 3:00 p.m.
Saturday Feb. 25 at Winthrop, 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 26 at Winthrop, 1:00 p.m.
