The Liberty University Baseball team defeated the University of Delaware during a home weekend series, April 24 to 26. The Flames lost the first game 5-4 but came back to win 11-5 and 14-4 at Worthington Field.
Game one went the way of the Fightin’ Blue Hens as they secured a close 5-4 victory, preventing a Liberty comeback in the process. Sophomore outfielder Sal Mineo led the charge with an opening home run for Delaware and gave the team its fifth RBI in the top of the seventh to help secure the win. Junior infielder Tanner Marsh made strides along the bases, helping the Flames close the gap, but was unable to pull his team through, ending the match 5-4.
Liberty came back in the second game and although a rain and lightning combo affected the closing innings, it did not extinguish the Flames’ momentum as the team ran away with an 11-5 victory. Senior infielder Jordan Jaffe and junior infielder Riley DeCandido were strong contenders at the plate and on the bases. Their combined effort gave Liberty the boost it needed to even the series going into the final match the following day.
The Flames started strong in the third game. After three quick outs in the top of the first, Jaffe delivered a double down the right field line, allowing Marsh to slide home for the first run of the game.
Following that play, DeCandido was next to cross the plate after a sacrifice fly hit by senior infielder Jaxon Sorenson.
Senior outfielder Nick Barone smashed a 2-RBI double, and Jaffe returned to home plate to pick up the last run of the first inning.
Delaware responded in the following inning when senior catcher LT Cockrill singled to center field. The ball landed in front of junior outfielder Josh Campos and the Fightin’ Blue Hens picked up a run as senior infielder Jeremy Wolf made the round trip to home plate to close the gap 3-1.
With Marsh on first, DeCandido doubled to the right field fence. A sacrifice fly from Jaffe advanced Marsh to home, increasing the score 4-1. Sorenson brought DeCandido home with an RBI single before Delaware picked up a double play to end the second inning with Liberty leading 5-1.
The top of the third saw no runs on Delaware’s end while the Flames’ momentum continued. Sophomore designated hitter Landon Scilley sent the ball to the center field wall, allowing senior infielder Easton Swofford to cross home plate, putting another run on the board for Liberty, leading 6-1.
“I didn’t have a terrible game yesterday, but after the game, I went to fix some things,” Scilley said. “It got me feeling right today, so that’s why I came out hot today. The Lord helped me through it and prepared me for this game today so all glory to him.”
Jaffe fired a 3-RBI double to right field, extending Liberty’s lead to 9-1. DeCandido, Marsh and Scilley returned home on the play.
The Fightin’ Blue Hens earned their second run when freshman catcher Anthony DeCesare singled to center field, allowing sophomore infielder Sam Winsett enough time to reach home plate, making the score 9-2.
With runners on second and third, junior infielder Matthew Minckler doubled down the right field line, bouncing the ball over first base and away from Liberty gloves. DeCesare and Wolf scored on the play, closing the gap 9-4. A pop fly caught by Marsh ended the top of the fourth inning.
In the bottom, Campos found an opening in left field, hitting an RBI single to bring senior catcher Kyle Hvidsten back to the dugout for the Flames’ 10th run of the game.
“When you have the entire lineup giving you quality at bats like we did today, it’s tough on the opposing pitchers,” Head Coach Bradley LeCroy said. “Obviously Jaffe had a great day today. Tanner’s been great all year, Riley DeCandido had a really good day today … We had quality at bats today.”
Junior pitcher Josh Swink took over the mound for Liberty to start the fifth inning, replacing sophomore pitcher Bradley Zayac. His efforts on the mound resulted in two strikeouts and no runs scored for the Fightin’ Blue Hens.
Scoring was at a premium until the bottom of the seventh inning. Singles from Jaffe, Sorenson and Barone allowed Marsh, DeCandido and Jaffe to reach home, bringing the score to 13-4.
Junior outfielder Ryan Drumm finished the game with a walk-off homer on the first pitch to end the game 14-4 under the run rule in the bottom of the eighth inning.
“It was pretty cool to see him do that, we love Drumm,” Scilley said. “We expect him to do things like that so it’s not a surprise that he did that, but we’re glad he got that one finally.”
LeCroy credited his team for rebounding after a disappointing first game and taking the series in dominant fashion.
“I am very proud of the guys,” LeCroy said. “Obviously we had (a) tough, disappointing game on Friday. We did not play well, but I am proud of the guys for responding, winning the game yesterday and then coming out today … we played really good today.”
The Flames hit the road to face New Mexico State University for a weekend series May 1 to 3. First pitch is scheduled for 8 p.m. EST for the first game.
Warden is the assistant sports editor for the Liberty Champion.