The Liberty Flames opened the 2025 season in impressive fashion, sweeping Saint John’s to begin the year and the Bradley LeCroy era at 3-0.

FRIDAY GAME 1: LIBERTY 12, ST JOHN’S 3

Liberty jumped out to an 8-0 lead, striking for four runs a piece in the first and second innings, while its pitching did not allow a hit or a baserunner through the first seven innings.

Flames’ right-hander Dylan Mathiesen pitched four scoreless innings, striking out six and not allowing a walk to record the win. Left fielder Nick Barone knocked in four runs with two hits, one a double, in his Liberty debut. Right fielder Camden Troyer also drove in four runs with two hits, including a double.

FRIDAY GAME 2: LIBERTY 3, ST JOHN’S 0

Liberty took a 1-0 advantage after one inning on a Jaxson Sorenson double. However, runs would be at a premium during the rest of the game. Liberty starter Ben Blair and St. John’s starter David Rodriguez locked in a pitcher’s duel through the first five innings with the Flames’ first inning run the only run of the contest.

In the 6th, Troyer extended Liberty’s lead with his first home run of the season, a solo blast off reliever Louis Marinaro, leading off the inning. Blair would go on to record the win while striking out a career-high 11 and walking two over six innings. Caleb Lingenfelter pitched two scoreless innings and Tyler August pitched the 9th to complete the shutout.

SUNDAY: LIBERTY 11, ST JOHN’S 2

In the series finale, Liberty raced out to a 10-0 lead in the first three innings before cruising to the victory for the season opening series sweep. The Flames scored in the first inning, having done so every game so far this season, taking advantage of two St. John’s errors to score four runs. In the second, Liberty tacked on three more on Jaxson Sorenson’s first home run for the Flames before adding three more in the third. The Flames held the Red Storm scoreless through the first six innings.

Up Next: The Flames will head to Raleigh on Tuesday to take on the NC State Wolfpack with first pitch scheduled for 3 p.m. Liberty then returns home for a three-game series against Xavier. Game time Friday is 4 p.m., Saturday is set for 2 p.m, and first pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Sunday, with all three games scheduled to be on ESPN+.

Current CUSA Standings

Louisiana Tech……4-0
Liberty…………………3-0
Dallas Baptist……..3-0
FIU………………………3-0
Western Kentucky…2-0
Jax State……………..3-1
NMSU…………………..2-1
Sam Houston……….1-2
Kennesaw State……1-2
Middle Tenn………….1-2