Liberty dropped a second straight CUSA series including a doubleheader sweep on Saturday against Jacksonville State. The Flames’ lost the first game of the double-header in wild fashion by having to forfeit due to playing an ineligible player. The Flames fall to 19-10 overall and 2-4 in conference play.
TUESDAY: LIBERTY 5, VIRGINIA 3
Liberty snapped a two-game losing skid and finished its longest homestand of the season with a 7-2 mark. It marked Liberty’s first win over Virginia since March 24, 2021. The Cavaliers had won the last five meetings between the two teams. The attendance of 1,788 was the largest crowd of the season at Liberty Baseball Stadium. The win also is the fourth for Liberty this season in the midweek over an ACC opponent, as the Flames have previously beat NC State, Duke, and Wake Forest.
The Flames took the lead with single runs in the fourth and fifth innings for a 4-2 advantage. Liberty tacked on an insurance run in the 8th for a 5-2 edge.
Jaxon Sorenson had a two-run single and Landon Scilly had two RBI with a single and a sacrifice fly. Camden Troyer tripled and scored twice in the contest
Six Liberty pitchers combined to scatter seven hits and keep the Virginia offense in check. Freshman right hander Cooper Harrington picked up the win. The second Liberty pitchers in the game, he pitched 2.2 scoreless innings, yielding one hit. He struck out one and walked two batters. Joseph Webb earned the save, giving up one run on one hit over the last two innings. He struck out one and walked two.
FRIDAY: LIBERTY 9, JAX STATE 8 (10 innings)
After tying the game with three two-out runs in the 9th, Liberty plated four runs in the top of the 10th and then held off a rally by Jacksonville State for the 10th inning win Friday night.
Down to their last strike in the top of the 9th, the Flames struck for three runs with two outs, taking advantage of an error on a ground ball by center fielder Michael Robertson with two outs that would have ended the game. Cal Early, who scored three times in the game, followed with an opposite field double, scoring two runs to cut Liberty’s deficit to 5-4. Tanner Marsh then tied the game by ripping a line drive into right field.
In the 10th, Liberty erupted for four runs. Seth Christmas lined a single to center to give the Flames their first lead of the contest. Three batters later, Marsh singled with the bases loaded for a 7-5 advantage. Jaxon Sorenson capped the inning with a two-run single to push the lead to 9-5.
The Gamecocks made a furious rally in the 10th inning, scoring three runs. However, with the tying run on third base with two out, Josh Swink got a strike out to close out the victory.
SATURDAY GAME 1: LIBERTY LOSES IN FORFEIT
In the bottom of the first, Liberty starting pitcher Ben Blair threw one pitch. Jacksonville State called time and then showed the umpires the weekend’s 27-man roster card. For Liberty, Blair was not included on it. Once he participated in the game, it counted as Liberty utilizing an ineligible player. After a brief discussion and call with the conference office, it was ruled that Liberty must forfeit the game due to using an ineligible player.
SATURDAY GAME 2: JAX STATE 6, LIBERTY 1
The Gamecocks’ Steven Cash and James Wilson combined to hold Liberty to one run on two hits. A two-run double by Gabe Young broke a 1-1 tie in the 4th. Tanner Marsh and Cal Early each had a double in the game for the Flames, the team’s only hits. Joseph Webb got the start and fell to 1-1 on the season. He gave up three runs on two hits over four innings while striking out four and walking three.
Up Next: The Flames will play at Charlotte on Tuesday at 6 p.m. on ESPN+. Liberty then returns home for a three-game series, playing host to Middle Tennessee beginning Friday at 4 p.m. with all three games scheduled to be on ESPN+.
Current CUSA Standings
Western Kentucky…4-2, 25-3
Dallas Baptist……..4-2, 18-9
FIU………………………4-2, 19-10
Louisiana Tech…….4-2, 17-11
NMSU…………………..3-3, 14-13
Jax State……………..3-3, 18-10
Kennesaw State……3-3, 11-17
Liberty…………………2-4, 19-10
Middle Tenn………….2-4, 14-13
Sam Houston……….1-5, 7-21
