Liberty clinched a spot into Friday’s ASUN semifinals with a 12-6 win over the Kennesaw State Owls on day two of the ASUN Baseball Tournament. The Flames improve to 2-0 in Pool A with just one game remaining before the semifinal round while KSU falls to 0-2.
Flames’ skipper Scott Jackson elected to go with the seldom used freshman Nick Moran to start the game on the mound. Moran, making just his sixth appearance and first career start, enter the game having pitched just nine innings with a 3.00 ERA while striking out nine and walking five during his previous outings. He did pitch 3.2 innings of scoreless relief while allowing just three hits against this same Kennesaw State team this past Friday.
After a scoreless top of the first for Moran, the Flames broke the game open with six runs, highlighted by a two-run double by Logan Mathieu and a three-run home run for Brady Gulakowski. It was Gulakowski’s third home run in four at bats to open his time in the conference tournament, pushing his RBI total to seven.
The Owls, who scored 28 runs in three games against Liberty last weekend, battled right back with five runs of their own in the top of the second to bring the game to a 6-5 score. Cash Young led off the frame with a leadoff home run and then Josh Hatcher blasted a three-run shot to highlight the scoring in the inning. Hatcher’s day wasn’t done as his two-out solo jack in the top of the fourth tied the game at six.
Liberty regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth when Derek Orndorff singled up the middle, scoring two, pushing his team back in front at 8-6. The Flames would then break the game open in the home half of the seventh, tacking on four runs. A Gray Betts sacrifice fly to the warning track in center field was followed by a three-run home run by Aaron Anderson, as Liberty grabbed the 12-6 lead, which would be the final margin.
Moran’s day was done after four innings, as he allowed six runs on seven hits. He struck out three and walked one while giving up three home runs. Max Alba, who began the season as Liberty’s Sunday starter before taking a bullpen role, came on in relief of Moran. He was exactly what the Flames needed, keeping the Owls off the board and allowing the offense to provide separation. Alba pitched four scoreless innings, scattering four hits, while striking out three and walking one. Jeremy Beamon came on in the ninth inning, and only had to throw nine pitches in an easy 1-2-3 frame.
Liberty will be back in action at 11 a.m. on Thursday for the final game of pool play when the Flames take on Lipscomb. The Bisons are currently 1-0 in pool play, following their 12-10 walk-off win over Kennesaw State on Tuesday. The Flames will be looking to win Pool A with a win over Lipscomb.
The Flames are in good shape entering the back half of the tournament. Starters Joe Adametz and Trey Gibson have not pitched this week and will likely be used for the semifinals and, potentially, championship round. Top bullpen arms of Cade Hungate, Trey Carter, and David Erickson are all fresh and have not been used yet this week. Mason Fluharty and Jeremy Beamon have each thrown lightly and would be available this weekend, as well.
ASUN TOURNAMENT POOL STANDINGS
POOL A
#1 Liberty………………….2-0*
#2 Lipscomb…………….1-1*
#4 FGCU……………………1-1
#3 Kennesaw State…..0-2
Top 3 advance to semifinals
*clinched spot into semifinals
POOL B
#6 Eastern Kentucky…..2-0*
#8 Jacksonville State…1-1
#5 Jacksonville………….1-1
#7 North Florida…………1-1
Winner advances to semifinals
*clinched spot into semifinals
ASUN TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Tuesday, May 24
Pool A #1 Liberty 4, #4 FGCU 3
Pool A #2 Lipscomb 12, #3 Kennesaw State 10
Pool B #6 Eastern Kentucky 5, #7 North Florida 3 – JetBlue Park
Pool B #8 Jacksonville State 8, #5 Jacksonville 4
Wednesday, May 25
Pool A #1 Liberty 12, #3 Kennesaw State 6
Pool A #4 FGCU 6, #3 Lipscomb 3
Pool B #6 Eastern Kentucky 7, #8 Jacksonville State 4 – JetBlue Park
Pool B #7 North Florida 9, #5 Jacksonville 3 – JetBlue Park
Thursday, May 26
Pool A #1 Liberty (2-0) vs #2 Lipscomb (1-1), 11 a.m. – JetBlue Park
Pool A #3 Kennesaw State (0-2) vs #4 FGCU (1-1), 11 a.m.
Pool B #5 Jacksonville (1-1) vs #6 Eastern Kentucky, 3 p.m.
Friday, May 27
Pool A Winner vs Pool B Winner, 11 a.m.
Pool A runner-up vs Pool A third place, 3 p.m.
Saturday, May 28
Two semifinal winners will meet, 1 p.m.
*all games will be played at Swanson Stadium unless otherwise noted
