The Liberty Flames wrapped up pool play on Thursday with a 10-2 win over 2-seed Lipscomb. With the win, the 1-seed Flames conclude pool play with a perfect 3-0 record and champs of Pool A. Liberty now advances to the ASUN Tournament semifinals and will face Eastern Kentucky on Friday at 11 a.m.
Richmond transfer Tim Miller, who used to be the Spiders’ Friday night starter, made his first start since 2020 in his eighth appearance this season for the Flames. Sporting a 10.50 ERA in six innings pitched entering the game, Miller gave head coach Scott Jackson exactly what he needed. He tossed five innings, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out two and walking one, putting zeros on the scoreboard in every inning except for the second.
Meanwhile, the Liberty bats provided plenty of cushion for Miller, plating six runs in the bottom of the first inning for the second straight game. The Flames utilized three walks, two hit bitters, and two-RBI singles for Stephen Hill and Brady Gulakowski to build the insurmountable 6-0 lead.
The Flames would add runs additional insurance runs in the middle innings to extend the lead. Nathan Keeter blasted a home run over the left field wall to score two in the fifth, and Stephen Hill knocked one off the wall in left to score Three Hillier in the sixth. Cam Foster doubled to left-center in the seventh and would later score on a passed ball as Liberty led 10-2 after seven complete.
Cole Garrett entered in relief of Miller to begin the sixth, and he would retire the first 11 batters he faced. He would give up a two-out single in the ninth to break up his perfect stint. Garrett tossed four innings of scoreless baseball while striking out five.
Hill finished the game two for four at the plate with one run scored, three RBIs and a double. Keeter was two for three in the game with a run scored and an RBI to go as he tripled and hit a home run. Gulakowski continues to swing a hot bat, as he was one for three with a run and two RBI.
The Flames now advance to the single-elimination semifinals alongside Lipscomb, Eastern Kentucky, and Kennesaw State. Liberty, as Pool A winner, will play Pool B winner, EKU, on Friday at 11 a.m. In the other semifinal, Lipscomb will play KSU at approximately 3 p.m. The two winners will then advance to the winner-take-all ASUN championship game on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Liberty will have typical starters Joe Adametz and Trey Gibson at their disposal to start the next two games, provided the Flames win on Friday. Following the win over Lipscomb Thursday, Coach Jackson confirmed that Joe Adametz will get the start against the Colonels on Friday.
Top bullpen arms Trey Carter, David Erickson, and closer Cade Hungate have not pitched yet this week, so they will be ready to go. Mason Fluharty and Jeremy Beamon have each thrown lightly on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, and would be available over the next two days, as well. Other pitchers that have been used occasionally during the season that have yet to pitch in Fort Myers this week include Tyler Germanowski, Landon Riley, and Nick Willard.
ASUN TOURNAMENT POOL STANDINGS
POOL A
#1 Liberty………………….3-0*
#2 Lipscomb…………….1-2*
#3 Kennesaw State…..1-2*
#4 FGCU……………………1-2
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 10, #2 Lipscomb 2 – JetBlue Park
Pool A #3 Kennesaw State 7, #4 FGCU 6
Pool B #5 Jacksonville (1-1) vs #6 Eastern Kentucky (2-0), 3 p.m.
Friday, May 27
#1 Liberty vs #6 Eastern Kentucky, 11 a.m.
#2 Lipscomb vs #3 Kennesaw State, 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
