The Liberty University Baseball team hosted Jacksonville State University April 10-12 in a three-game Conference USA (CUSA) series between two of the league’s top teams, winning the weekend 7-6 and 4-2 after a first game loss 8-4.
Entering the weekend, Liberty sat second in CUSA at 9-3 (23-9 overall) while Jax State arrived undefeated in conference play at 12-0 (28-6 overall). The matchup carried high stakes for the Flames, and by the end of the weekend Liberty took the series 2-1 and ended Jax State’s perfect conference record.
Friday’s game opened with Liberty striking with back-to-back runs from junior infielders Tanner Marsh and Riley DeCandido. The Flames built a 3-1 lead by the bottom of the third inning after junior outfielder Ryan Drumm hit an RBI groundout.
Jax State responded in the fourth inning with an RBI single from sophomore utility player Matthew Cash and slowly chipped away at the Flames’ lead as the game progressed.
The turning point came in the middle innings when Jax State’s offense broke through. The Gamecocks tied the game and used the sixth inning to take control. They continued to add on late runs, pulling away to secure an 8-4 win in the series opener.
Liberty added a ninth inning solo home run from senior outfielder Nick Barone, but the rally came too late to change the outcome.
Game two on Saturday began with pressure from Jax State, but Liberty quickly responded to keep the game close. The Flames tied the game in the bottom of the first inning after Marsh scored on a wild pitch, setting up a tightly contested match.
The game remained at 1-1 until the Flames gained momentum in the sixth inning. Senior catcher Kyle Hvidsten delivered the key swing of the game, hitting a two-run home run and giving Liberty the lead. The Gamecocks answered in the seventh inning and briefly retook the lead, keeping the pressure on late in the game.
Liberty responded again in the bottom of the seventh inning. With bases loaded, senior infielder Easton Swofford singled to drive in two runs and tie the game, 6-6. The game moved into the ninth inning still deadlocked.
In the bottom of the ninth, Barone doubled to put the winning run in scoring position. Sophomore infielder Landon Scilley delivered the game-winning RBI single through the right side, giving Liberty a 7-6 walk-off win to even the series at one win each.
Game three on Sunday decided the series and featured another competitive back-and-forth contest. The Gamecocks struck first, but Liberty responded in the second inning when junior outfielder Josh Campos hit a two-run home run to give the Flames an early lead 2-1.
After a run in the third inning, the game stayed at a two-run tie until Liberty answered in the sixth inning when Hvidsten hit his second home run of the series, giving the Flames the lead.
Later in the sixth, Liberty further secured the lead when senior infielder Jaxon Sorenson drew a bases-loaded walk to make it 4-2. The Gamecocks did not score in the final innings and Liberty held on to win game three, 4-2, and take the series along with it.
After the series, Liberty Head Coach Bradley LeCroy reflected on the team’s competitiveness throughout the series.
“They were not going to be denied, competitive at bats, competitive pitches,” LeCroy said. “We made some mistakes defensively, but we made some really good plays too.”
Hvidsten, who played a key role in Liberty’s offensive production across the weekend, reflected on the team’s approach and consistency, crediting their preparation and mindset for success.
“We’re tough and prepared,” Hvidsten said. “I think that all the stuff that we do off the field and during practice, it shows up in games like these and it’s working out for us.”
By taking two of three games, Liberty won the series and handed Jax State its first conference loss of the season. The Flames not only defended their home field but also delivered a statement performance against an undefeated conference opponent. The Flames strengthened their position in Conference USA and are currently tied for third in the standings with Dallas Baptist University at 11-4 each.
The Flames look ahead to four away games before they return back to Worthington Field April 21 against Duke.
Clardy is the off-campus news editor for the Liberty Champion.