Liberty’s program record 13 consecutive wins came to an end in the first game of a double header on the road Saturday at Bellarmine, but that doesn’t mean it was a bad week for the Flames. Liberty began the week with a beatdown of the Virginia Cavaliers to improve to 3-0 against the ACC this season. The Flames also won the ASUN series at Bellarmine to improve to 16-6 overall and 5-1 in conference play.

WEDNESDAY: LIBERTY 10, VIRGINIA 2

Liberty won its 12th straight game on Wednesday evening from Liberty Baseball Stadium in Lynchburg, Virginia. The Flames defeated Virginia (9-11, 3-9 ACC) by a score of 10-2.

The Flames plated 5 runs in the bottom of the first, highlighted by a Will Wagner three-run home run. Liberty added 1 more in the 3rd, 1 in the 4th, 2 in the 7th, and 1 in the 8th to cruise to the comfortable victory over the in-state Cavaliers. Logan Mathieu hit his team-leading 5th home run of the season, a solo shot over the right field fence in the 3rd inning.

Mason Hand pitched 3.1 innings, allowing two unearned runs without giving up a hit. David Erickson improved to 5-0 on the year with the win as he pitched 3.2 innings without allowing a run. Mason Fluharty and Fraser Ellard pitched the final two innings to close the door on UVA.

FRIDAY: LIBERTY 5, BELLARMINE 2

The Flames pushed its win streak to 13 games in the first of three games between Liberty and Bellarmine from Louisville, Kentucky. Will Wagner hit a two-run home run and Trey McDyre added a solo shot, to power the Flames past the Knights.

Wagner put the Flames on top for good with his fourth home run of the season in the top of the sixth inning. Starting pitcher Trevor DeLaite allowed one run on two hits over the first five innings and picked up the win to improve his record to 3-1 this season.

McDyre’s home run came in the third inning and was the first run of the game for either side. Bellarmine added two runs in the 4th before the Flames and Wagner responded in the 6th. Liberty added an insurance run in the eighth and the ninth as the Flames’ bullpen continued its dominance. Nick Willard, Landon Riley, and Frazer Ellard combined to pitch four innings without allowing a hit.

SATURDAY GAME 1: BELLARMINE 8, LIBERTY 7

The Flames’ 13 game win streak came to an end in the first game of a double header on Saturday. Liberty entered the top of the night inning trailing 8-6. Pinch hitter Brandon Roher led off the inning with his first home run of the season to cut the lead to 1. he Flames then moved the tying run into scoring position at second base with one out, but were unable to bring him around to score.

Liberty opened up a 6-2 lead in the 4th inning thanks to three runs in the top half of the inning. The Flames would not be able to hold the lead though, as Bellarmine connected on a three-run home run in the 5th to cut Liberty’s lead to 6-5 and then adding three more runs in the 6th inning.

Flames’ starting pitcher Mason Meyer allowed 5 runs on 6 hits through 4.2 innings. David Erickson got the loss in relief as he allowed 3 runs in 1.1 innings. The loss dropped his record to 5-1 on the season. Erickson had allowed just 1 run in 21.3 innings prior to Saturday.

SATURDAY GAME 2: LIBERTY 5, BELLARMINE 1

Freshman right-hander Trey Gibson pitched into the ninth inning for the first time in his career, leading the Flames to a series victory over the Bellarmine Knights Saturday afternoon at Knights Field. Gibson, who previously had not pitched past the sixth inning this season, allowed one run on seven hits. He struck out nine and did not walk a batter as he pitched 8.2 innings.

Gray Betts led off the game with his second home run of the season, and Aaron Anderson was the only Flame with more than one hit in the game with a single and triple. He scored twice. The Flames led 2-1 into the ninth inning when Liberty added three insurance runs.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: WILL WAGNER

Liberty’s second baseman began the week in a big way with a three-run home run that was part of a four RBI day for Wagner in the Flames’ win over Virginia. On the week, Wagner was 5 for 17 at the plate with 8 RBIs, two home runs, and 3 runs scored.

His shot in the first inning against the Cavaliers propelled Liberty to the win over the ACC opponent. Wagner then added another home run in Friday’s game against Bellarmine. His home run in the sixth inning, his fourth of the season, put the Flames ahead for good in the team’s 13th straight win.

PITCHER OF THE WEEK: TREY GIBSON

Gibson continues to come on strong in his freshman season after a tough early start to the year. He has now won each of his last four start and went 16.1 innings without allowing a run before Bellarmine plated one in the sixth inning.  His performance on Saturday helped Liberty quickly get over its first loss in nearly a month as he allowed only one run in 8.2 innings. Gibson struck out nine and did not walk a batter while allowing seven hits.

ON TAP

Liberty’s road trip continues on Tuesday when the Flames head to Durham, North Carolina to take on the Duke Blue Devils. Liberty is 3-0 so far this season against ACC opponents, and Tuesday’s game is one of seven remaining with the ACC before the season is finished. The Blue Devils are 10-10 on the season and 5-7 in conference play. They took 1 of 3 against Georgia Tech over the weekend.

The Flames then head to Kennesaw, Georgia for a three game series against Kennesaw State. The games are scheduled for Thursday at 5 pm, Friday at 5 pm, and Saturday at 1 pm. KSU is 15-8 overall and 4-2 in conference play.

ASUN STANDINGS

North Florida……………3-0 ASUN…9-11 overall
Liberty……………………..5-1 ASUN…16-6 overall
Kennesaw State………4-2 ASUN…15-8 overall
Stetson……………………2-1 ASUN…16-8 overall
Bellarmine……………….4-5 ASUN…8-13 overall
Lipscomb………………..2-4 ASUN…7-11 overall
FGCU………………………1-2 ASUN…13-9 overall
North Alabama……….3-6 ASUN…4-17 overall
Jacksonville…………..0-3 ASUN…5-15 overall