There couldn’t have been a better scripted opening two weekends of the baseball season for the Liberty Flames. After opening the season with a 2-1 series win at No. 9 Florida, the Flames jumped into all the major college baseball polls this past week and continued their winning ways with a perfect 4-0 record this week.

Liberty has moved up to No. 20 in the D1baseball.com top 25 poll this week after opening the season at 6-1 and winning six straight contests. Liberty won their four games this week by a combined score of 41-4. The Flames will look to keep the win streak alive this coming week against Radford and Canisius.

WEDNESDAY: NO. 21 LIBERTY 12, NORTH CAROLINA A&T 2

In Liberty’s home opener, center fielder blasted two home runs, part of his three hits on the afternoon, to go along with three RBIs as the Flames cruised to the easy win. Second baseman Cameron Foster had two hits and drove in three runs in the contest for the Flames.

After a scoreless first two innings, Liberty plated three runs in the third, all coming with two outs. Stephen Hill doubled in Gray Betts, followed by two more RBI hits for Brady Gulakowski and Foster as the Flames grabbed the early lead it would not relinquish.

FRIDAY: NO. 21 LIBERTY 8, WINTHROP 1

Held scoreless through the first three innings and trailing 1-0, Liberty took a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth thanks to Orndorff’s three-run homerun. Foster added his own three-run blast for the Flames, his first collegiate home run, in the fifth inning. Joe Adametz and David Erickson held the Winthrop bats in check, combining to strike out 13 while walking just two. The Eagles scored just one unearned run and five hits.

SATURDAY: NO. 21 LIBERTY 8, WINTHROP 1

For the second straight day, Winthrop jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning, but it would be all the damage the Eagles would do. Orndorff hit a home run for the third straight game, tying the score in the second. In the bottom of the fourth, the Flames would tack on three runs to take control of the game. Right fielder Aaron Anderson, Foster, and first baseman Logan Mathieu each had two hits apiece.

Trey Gibons, Trey Carter, and Mason Fluharty took care of Winthrop on the mound. The three combined to allow one run on seven hits, striking out a season-high 14 and walking just one batter.

SUNDAY: NO. 21 LIBERTY 13, WINTHROP 0

Liberty wouldn’t play around with Winthrop on Sunday, making quick work of the Eagles to earn the weekend sweep. The Flames put up 9 runs in the home half of the second inning, thanks in large part to three home runs. Gulakowski smashed a three-run shot to get the scoring started, and Three Hillier and Aaron Anderson each added to the fireworks. Combined with the stellar pitching from starter Max Alba, Liberty would cruise the rest of the way to pick up the win.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: DEREK ORNDORFF

For the second straight week, Liberty’s new center fielder, Derek Orndorff gets out nod for player of the week and he was even more impressive his second week in a Liberty uniform. In four games, Orndorff hit 7 for 12 with four walks, 8 runs scored, 7 RBIs, and 4 home runs. Can’t do much better than that.

PITCHER OF THE WEEK: MAX ALBA

The Liberty offense gets all the love for Sunday’s performance, putting up 13 runs on 14 hits and blasting three home runs, but it was starting pitcher Max Alba who kept the Eagles off the scoreboard until the rout was on. The North Carolina transfer tossed six scoreless innings, allowing just three hits while striking out 8 and walking one.

ON TAP

Liberty will head down 460 west for a short road trip on Tuesday, taking on former Big South rival Radford with first pitch scheduled for 4 pm. The Highlanders are currently 2-5 on the season and coming off a series at home against Bucknell, dropping two of the three contests.

The Flames will the return home to take on Canisius for a three game weekend series. Games are scheduled for 4 pm Friday, 2 pm Saturday, and 1 pm Sunday, all streamed on ESPN+. Canisius is currently 4-4 on the year, splitting a pair of four-game series against Pitt and Morehead State.

ASUN STANDINGS

East
Kennesaw State…………7-1
Liberty………………………..6-1
Jacksonville………………6-1
FGCU…………………………6-2
Stetson……………………..4-3
North Florida…………….1-7

West
Lipscomb………………….3-3
Eastern Kentucky………3-4
North Alabama………….1-3
Central Arkansas………1-4
Jacksonville State…….1-6
Bellarmine…………………1-7