Liberty baseball defeated Campbell to improve to 3-0 in the midweek so far this season, and then returned home to sweep Central Michigan to improve to 11-4 on the season.
TUESDAY: LIBERTY 4, CAMPBELL 1
Jaxon Sorenson and Tucker Moore blasted home runs to back a strong pitching performance by a trio of Flames, leading Liberty to the victory over Campbell on Tuesday in Buies Creek, North Carolina. Dylan Mathiesen, Jack Frankel, and Garrett McLaughlin combined to hold the Camels to one run on six hits while issuing one walk. The Flames were held scoreless by Campbell starting pitcher Mason Smith through the first six innings, before breaking through in the 7th. After a Tanner Marsh single, Sorenson gave Liberty a 2-0 lead with his fourth home run of the year. Moore added to the Flames’ advantage in the top of the 9th with a two-run homer, his first of the year.
Liberty had just three hits in the win, with both teams being held hitless though the first three innings. Frankel, a freshman, picked up the win, his first of his career, allowing one run on three hits over 3.2 innings. McLaughlin entered in the bottom of the 8th with two men on and two out. He recorded the save by getting the final four outs of the game, as the Flames improved to 3-0 so far this season in the midweek.
FRIDAY: LIBERTY 9, CENTRAL MICHIGAN 5
Tucker Moore belted a grand slam and Riley DeCandido hit a home run and had 5 RBI as the Flames rallied to top Central Michigan on Friday afternoon in the series opener. Trailing 3-0 in the 5th inning, the Flames took the lead with five runs, highlighted by Moore’s grand slam, his second home run of the season. DeCandido added three hits, knocking in a career-high five runs for Liberty, his second three-hit game of the season. He capped his day with a blast over the right field wall in the bottom of the 8th, his first career home run. Jaxon Sorenson joined DeCandido with three hits, scoring two runs. Nick Barone and Cal Early had two hits each for Liberty.
Reliever Joseph Webb picked up the win, pitching 3.2 scoreless innings. He struck out six and walked two and has not allowed a run in five appearances this season. The right-hander has struck out 18 batters over 13.2 innings.
SATURDAY: LIBERTY 12, CENTRAL MICHIGAN 4
Liberty belted four home runs, two by Nick Barone, as the Flames picked up the win on Saturday to secure the series victory. Barone went 3 for 4 with two solo home runs. The left fielder was joined by Camden Troyer, who went 3 for 3 with a double and solo home run and scored four times, and Jaxon Sorenson, who hit a three-run homer. Tucker Moore went 3 for 3 with a two run triple and three RBI. Trailing 1-0 through three innings, Liberty erupted for seven runs, three in the fourth and four in the fifth, to take a commanding lead and cruise to the victory.
Starter Ben Blair picked up the win, improving his record to 3-0 on the year. The right hander gave up one run on three hits over five innings. He struck out four and walked two. Blair leads CUSA in innings pitched with 23 and he is second in the league with a 1.17 ERA. Liberty’s second of four pitchers, Caleb Lingenfelter, pitched two scoreless innings. He allowed only one baserunner on a walk.
SUNDAY: LIBERTY 8, CENTRAL MICHIGAN 2
Liberty completed the sweep on Sunday behind solid pitching performances from starter Dylan Mathiesen and relievers Jack Frankel and Trey Cooper. Meanwhile, Liberty took advantage of eight walks and four errors and some timely hitting during the middle innings to pull away for the win. Frankel, who entered in the 4th inning, pitched four scoreless innings to record the win. He retired 11 in a row to finish his outing.
Mathiesen allowed one run on five hits over the first three innings for the Flames. He struck out one and walked three. Cooper, who followed Frankel, gave up one run on two hits over the final two innings. He struck out three and did not issue a walk. Frankel picked up a victory in each of his last two appearances. This week, the freshman righty posted a 2-0 record, allowing one run over 7.2 innings in Liberty’s victories at Campbell and on Sunday.
Up Next: The Flames hit the road during the mid-week, taking on No. 11 Clemson for two games, Tuesday at 4 p.m. and Wednesday at 4 p.m. Liberty will then return home for a four-game series against Princeton. The Flames take on the Tigers on Friday at 4 p.m., a double header on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m., and the series finale is scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m.
Current CUSA Standings
Western Kentucky…15-1
Dallas Baptist……..11-4
Liberty…………………11-4
FIU………………………12-5
Jax State……………..10-6
NMSU…………………..9-5
Middle Tenn………….9-5
Louisiana Tech…….9-7
Kennesaw State……6-11
Sam Houston……….3-12
