Liberty scored four runs in the top of the ninth inning on Tuesday evening to come from behind to hand No. 12 NC State its first loss of the 2025 season, 9-8.
It was the first meeting between the programs since 2009. NC State is coming off a 2024 College World Series appearance, finishing the season at 38-23. The Wolfpack opened the new year with a three-game sweep of Fordham while Liberty swept St. John’s on the opening weekend.
Entering the top of the ninth facing an 8-5 deficit, Liberty exploded for four runs to take the lead before closing the door on the home team in the bottom of the ninth. Tanner Marsh led off the 9th with a walk and then Nick Barone walked with one-out to put two runners on base. Camden Troyer would reach on a fielding error by the shortstop which allowed Marsh to score. Landon Scilley then grounded out to short, knocking in Barone to cut the deficit to 8-7.
Easton Swofford walked and then John Simmons was hit by a pitch to load the bases, setting the stage for Michael Robertson. The center fielder doubled to right field, scoring Swofford and Troyer to give the Flames the lead, 9-8.
Garrett McLaughlin would get the first two NC State batters in the bottom of the 9th to ground out before issuing a two-out walk. McLaughlin recorded the final out of the game with a strike out to preserve the win.
McLaughlin pitched the final two innings, giving up two hits, two runs, one earned while striking out three and walking one. He followed Tyler August who pitched two innings of two-hit scoreless relief. Dylan Mathiesen got the start, giving up one run on two hits in three innings while striking out five and walking three.
Liberty took the lead in the top of the first on a Jaxson Sorenson double to right center, knocking in Riley DeCandido who was three for six at the plate on Tuesday. After NC State tied the game at 1 in the bottom of the 2nd, Liberty scored four in the top of the 3rd. The Wolfpack tied it up again with four runs in the bottom of the 4th. They took the lead for the first time on a run in the bottom of the 5th and then added two more in the bottom of the 8th before the Flames came to bat in the 9th.
The Flames return home to Liberty Baseball Stadium for a three-game series this weekend against Xavier, beginning Friday at 4 p.m.
*photo courtesy Liberty Athletics
