The Liberty Flames have had a very strong recent run of success, and most expect that to continue for the 2022 baseball season as Liberty was selected by the ASUN Coaches to claim the league title once again this spring. Additionally, the Flames swept the preseason individual honors with Aaron Anderson named Preseason Player of the Year, Jaylen Guy named Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, and Trey Gibson the Preseason Pitcher of the Year.
Anderson and Gibson were also named to the 2022 ASUN Baseball Preseason All-Conference Team alongside Gray Betts and Brady Gulakowski.
Following Liberty in the Preseason Coaches Poll, was FGCU, Stetson, Jacksonville State, Kennesaw State, North Florida, Jacksonville, Eastern Kentucky, Central Arkansas, Lipscomb, Bellarmine, and North Alabama.
Outfielder Aaron Anderson was named ASUN All-Conference First Team and to the 2021 ASUN All-Tournament team last year. He led the conference with a .375 batting average and 84 hits while driving in 42 runs and scoring 43 times. He also led the ASUN and finished fourth in the nation with 25 doubles while gathering three triples and four home runs.
Jaylen Guy was a regular fixture on the highlight reels last season for his stellar play in center field for the Flames. He played in 56 games while three of his defensive plays during the season were part of ESPN SportsCenter Top 10s. He led the ASUN with 15 stolen bases with a .198 batting average, 29 RBIs, and 34 runs scored.
Last year, pitcher Trey Gibson was a Freshman All-American and the ASUN Freshman of the Year while earning ASUN All-Conference Second Team honors. Gibson made 13 starts last year, posting a 7-4 record with a 3.32 ERA over 65 innings while striking out 70 and walking 21.
Catcher Gray Betts returns behind the plate for the Flames after being named to the ASUN All-Conference First Team a year ago. He was also a member of the 2021 ASUN All-Tournament squad and selected to the 2021 NCAA Knoxville All-Regional Team. Betts played in 57 games and hit .327 with 71 hits, 24 RBIs, and 56 runs scored. He led the ASUN in triples (4) and walks (36) to go along with 17 doubles and three home runs.
Brady Gulakowski, who was named to the preseason team as a designated hitter, was second-team All-ASUN a year ago as well as earning a spot on the NCAA Knoxville All-Regional team. He played in 48 games with 39 starts while hitting .284 with 11 doubles, 39 RBIs and 29 runs. He was fourth in the ASUN with 10 home runs and sixth overall with a .561 slugging percentage.
In 2019, Liberty became the first team since 1993 to capture the ASUN title in its first year as a conference member and advanced to the NCAA Regional for the first time since 2014. In 2020, the Flames started the year 10-7 before the season came to an abrupt end due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last year, the Flames had one of its best seasons ever, posting a 41-16 overall record and 19-2 mark in conference play. Liberty advanced to the Knoxville Regional Final with wins over ACC Champion Duke, 11-6 and 15-4. The Flames saw their season come to an end against No. 2 national seed Tennessee.
Liberty is scheduled to begin the season Feb. 18-20 with a three game series in Gainesville at Florida. The home opener is on Wednesday, Feb. 23 against North Carolina A&T followed by a three-game home series against Winthrop Feb. 25-27. The Flames will open ASUN play at North Florida, March 18-20.
