Liberty baseball picked up a win over UNC Wilmington in extra innings on Wednesday before heading to Conway, South Carolina to take on No. 22 Coastal Carolina. The Flames held multi-run leads in the late innings of the first two games against the Chanticleers before giving up late rallies. The Flames were ultimately swept by the former Big South rival after losing the doubleheader on Sunday, falling to 5-6 on the season.
WEDNESDAY: LIBERTY 2, UNC WILMINGTON 1 (11 INNINGS)
After the Flames took the lead in the top of the 11th, the Flames stranded runners at second and third in the bottom of the inning to slip past UNC Wilmington on a windy afternoon at Brooks Field in North Carolina.
With the score tied at 1 in the 11th inning, Liberty right fielder Camden Troyer walked to lead off the inning, moved to third after stealing second and the catcher’s throw sailed into center field. Third baseman Cam Foster followed with a fly ball to right field, allowing Troyer to tag and score to give the Flames the lead.
In the bottom of the frame, the host Seahawks moved runners to second and third with two outs. Flames’ reliever Talor Grubbs came on for Dylan Mathiesen with a 3-1 count and proceeded to strike out UNCW left fielder Aidan Evans to close out the game. Mathiesen pitched 3.2 innings of scoreless relief to record his second win of the season.
Liberty second baseman Aidan Sweatt had two hits. Flames shortstop Tanner Marsh had a hit and scored the first run of the contest. He and Sweatt also made two key double plays in the game to end scoring threats.
SATURDAY: NO. 22 COASTAL CAROLINA 8, LIBERTY 7
Despite four home runs in the contest by the Flames, the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers overcame a two-run deficit with three runs with two outs in the bottom of the ninth for the come from behind, walk off victory.
In the 100th meeting between the former Big South Conference rivals, Coastal right fielder Graham Brown had the walk off single in the ninth that scored two runs. He drove in three runs in the game.
Liberty starting pitcher Nick Moran allowed four runs on seven hits over five innings. He struck out seven and walked two batters. Cole Hertzler took the loss in relief as he gave up three runs on two hits.
Cam Foster hit his first two home runs of the season and had three RBI while Aidan Sweatt and Brian McClellin each hit their first home run of the year in the contest. Sweatt joined Foster with two hits in the game, ripping an RBI double and scoring a run in a four-run third inning for the Flames in addition to his home run. Tanner Marsh added two hits in the game. This was Liberty’s first four home run game since April 22, 2022 when the Flames defeated North Florida, 22-4, at Liberty Baseball Stadium.
SUNDAY GAME 1: NO. 22 COASTAL CAROLINA 12, LIBERTY 5
Similar to the first game of the series on Saturday, Liberty built an early lead only to see the Chanticleers make a late inning rally.
The Flames grabbed a 2-0 lead in the second inning with an Aidan Sweatt solo home run and a Brian McClellin RBI single which scored Brayden Horton. The lead would extend to 4-1 in the 5th and 5-2 in the 6th. From there, Coastal took over.
The Chanticleers scored three runs in the home half of the 7th and blew open the game in the 8th. Coastal Carolina sent 13 batters to the plate in the frame, scoring 7 runs to grab a 12-5 lead that they would hold on for the final margin.
Garrett Horn started the game on the mound for the Flames. He pitched 5 innings, giving up 2 runs on 5 hits with 5 walks and 8 strikeouts. Talor Grubbs came on in the 6th and worked out of a bases loaded, 1-out jam. Liberty’s bullpen of Grubbs, Dylan Mathiesen, and Ty Goodson combined to surrender 10 runs in 2.2 innings of relief.
SUNDAY GAME 2: NO. 22 COASTAL CAROLINA 7, LIBERTY 0
The Chanticleers carried the momentum from the first win on Sunday into the second game, scoring runs in each of the first three innings to grab a 6-0 early lead. The lead would extend to 7-0 as the home team coasted to the win and completed the series sweep.
Bryce Dolby got the start for the Flames. In five innings pitched, he gave up seven runs on eight hits while walking two and striking out three.
Up Next: The Flames remain on the road, concluding their trip in the Carolinas on Tuesday playing at College of Charleston. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. and will be televised on FloSports. Liberty then returns home for a three-game weekend series against East Carolina beginning Friday at 4 p.m. with all three games carried on ESPN+.
Current CUSA Standings
Louisiana Tech……11-0
Dallas Baptist……..10-1
Western Kentucky…8-5
Sam Houston……….8-4
FIU………………………6-5
Liberty…………………5-6
Middle Tenn………….5-6
NMSU…………………..5-6
Jax State……………..4-7
