5-Run 8th Propels Liberty Past FGCU 8-5

The Liberty Flames broke a 3-3 tie with five runs in the eighth inning to down the FGCU Eagles 8-5, Sunday afternoon at Swanson Stadium. With the victory, the Flames take the three-game series, two games to one.

Liberty second baseman Nathan Keeter went 3-for-3 with his first collegiate home run and a career-high three RBI in the contest. The freshman reached base in each of his five plate appearances, also drawing a walk and being hit by a pitch. He scored twice in the contest.

Catcher Gray Betts and designated hitter Brady Gulakowski each added two hits and drove in a run for the Flames.

Liberty starter Trey Gibson and reliever Dylan Cumming combined to hold the potent Eagles’ offensive to three runs over the first seven innings.

Liberty moves to 32-18 overall and 18-9 in ASUN Conference play. FGCU drops to 31-20 and 15-12 in the ASUN.

Box Score Highlights

Records: Liberty (32-18, 18-9 ASUN); FGCU (31-20, 15-12 ASUN)

Location: Fort Myers, Fla. (Swanson Stadium)

WP: Dylan Cumming (5-4) | LP: Nick Love (2-1) | SV: Mason Fluharty (2)

 Scoring Summary

2^nd INNING – LIBERTY - Keeter homers, Gulakowski and Foster score, 3-0

3^rd INNING – FGCU - Head doubles, Satori scores, 3-1

3^rd INNING – FGCU – Farrow homers, Head scores, 3-3

8^th INNING – LIBERTY – Gulakowski singles, Mathieu scores, 4-3

8^th INNING – LIBERTY – Betts flies out, Foster scores, 5-3

8^th INNING – LIBERTY – Orndorff hit by a pitch, Gulakowski scores, 6-3

8^th INNING – LIBERTY – Hillier singles, Anderson and Keeter score, 8-3

8^th INNING – FGCU – Farrow doubles, Ellis scores, 8-4

9^th INNING – FGCU – Farrow singles, Ellis scores, 8-5

Notable Numbers

- Liberty outhit FGCU, 15-10. Neither team committed an error.

- Liberty left 12 men on base. FGCU left eight.

- All nine hitters in the Flames’ lineup had at least one hit in the game.

- Shortstop Stephen Hill and first baseman Logan Mathieu had two hits apiece to join Betts, Gulakowski and Keeter with multi-hit games.

- Cumming records the win for Liberty. He gave up a run on two hits over two-plus innings. He walked a batter.

- Flames reliever Mason Fluharty allowed one run on three hits over 1 1/3 innings to record the save. He struck out three and did not walk a batter. He came in the eighth and stranded both of the runners he inherited.

- The third of six Eagles to pitch in the game, reliever Nick Love takes the loss. He was roughed up for three runs on four hits over one inning.

- FGCU left fielder Ian Farrow had three hits, a home run and four RBI in the contest.

Turning Point

Locked in a tight contest all afternoon, Liberty struck for five runs on five hits in the top of the eighth to break a 3-3 tie. Mathieu doubled and third baseman Cameron Foster reached on a bunt base hit to open the inning. Gulakowski followed with a single to right, plating Mathieu for a 4-3 lead. After Keeter was hit by a pitch, Betts flew out to score Foster to push the Flames’ newly found advantage to 5-3.

The next three Flames were hit by a pitch, forcing across another run and bringing to the plate left fielder Three Hillier. The outfielder capped the inning by ripping a line drive back through the box to score two more for an 8-3 lead Liberty never relinquished.

Beyond the Box Score

- With the win, Liberty takes the three-game series, 2-1, and finishes the regular season 5-1 against FGCU.

- Liberty has won 14 of its last 18 ASUN Conference games. With an 18-9 conference record, the Flames lead the ASUN East Division, one game ahead of Kennesaw State.

- Liberty closes the regular season with a 13-12 record on the road and 10-2 on games played on Sundays.

- Keeter’s home run in the second inning was the 55^th of the year for the Flames. The home run total is the most by a Liberty team since the 2009 team hit 60.

- Keeter records the first three-hit game of his collegiate career and his ninth multiple-hit game of the season.

Next Up

Liberty returns home for the final four games of the 2022 regular season. The Flames will homestand by hosting the High Point Panthers at Worthington Field at Liberty Baseball Stadium. Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m.