With losses by Middle Tennessee in their first two games at Kennesaw State Thursday and Friday, Liberty was able to officially clinch a spot in next week’s CUSA Baseball Tournament in Lynchburg, Virginia. Meanwhile, the Flames picked up a win over regular season CUSA champion Dallas Baptist in extra innings Friday but dropped two of three in the series to end the regular season. Liberty ends its regular season with a 30-25 overall record and 10-17 mark in CUSA play.

THURSDAY: DALLAS BAPTIST 6, LIBERTY 4

The CUSA-leading Patriots broke a 2-2 tie with two runs in the fourth inning and added two more in the fifth on center fielder Nathan Humphreys’ two-run home run. The score would remain the same into the bottom of the ninth inning where Liberty rallied with three straight hits with one out. With Michael Robertson aboard after a double, third baseman Easton Swofford hit his first home run of the season to move to within two runs at 6-4. Shortstop Tanner Marsh followed with a single, bringing the tying run to the dish. However, DBU reliever Jerrod Jenkins got the next Flames’ batter to hit into a game-ending double play.

Swofford led all hitters in the game with three hits. He had two RBI and scored two runs. Marsh added two hits and drove in a run for the Flames. Landon Scilley joined Marsh with two hits in the contest while Robertson doubled, walked, and scored twice.

Liberty starting pitcher Caleb Lingenfelter takes the loss. He allowed four runs on four hits over four innings. Flames reliever Cooper Harrington gave up two runs on four hits over five innings. He struck out three and walked two.

FRIDAY: LIBERTY 7, DALLAS BAPTIST 6 (10 innings)

After a nearly three-hour weather delay, the Flames and Patriots were able to start their second game of the weekend series. Before the game was completed, Liberty clinched a spot in next week’s CUSA Tournament where these two teams will meet once again back in the same location.

The Flames got the win in 10 innings after loading the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the 10th to set the plate for Tanner Marsh’s walk-off sacrifice fly. To get it into extras, Liberty had to score two in the bottom of the ninth, including a two-out home run by Jaxon Sorenson to tie the contest at six. The game was tied at four entering the ninth when Dallas Baptist hit a two-run homer to right field to take the lead, 6-4, before the Flames would rally.

Tyler August got the win after pitching the final 1.1 innings without allowing a hit. Ben Blair started the game, pitching 4.1 innings, allowing five hits, four runs, three earned, while striking out three. Josh Swink pitched 2.2 innings of scoreless relief, giving up two hits. Landon Scilley had two hits for the Flames, including a home run, finishing with two RBI.

SATURDAY: DALLAS BAPTIST 6, LIBERTY 0

Three DBU pitchers combined to pitch a no-hitter as the Patriots defeated the Flames in the regular season finale for both teams to take the series. Mason Peters, Luke Pettit, and Nick Bonn combined to hold the Flames without a hit. The trio combined to strike out 11 and did not walk a batter, allowing only two base runners in the contest – a hit by pitch and a three-base error. It marks the first time Liberty has been no-hit since March 23, 2024 at Middle Tennessee.

Liberty starter Ben Roberts takes the loss. Making the first start of his Flames’ career, the senior gave up three runs, two earned, on two hits over 3.1 innings while walking two.

Up Next: Liberty has secured a spot in this week’s CUSA Tournament held at Liberty Baseball Stadium in Lynchburg, Virginia. The Flames will be the 8-seed and take on 1-seed Dallas Baptist to open tournament play on Wednesday.