Liberty University
Coastal Carolina
Liberty Downs Coastal Carolina 6-4
4/25/2021 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Right fielder Brandon Rohrer's two-out single in the eighth inning gave the Flames the lead and Landon Riley pitched a scoreless ninth, as Liberty defeated the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers 6-4, Sunday afternoon at Worthington Field at Liberty Baseball Stadium.
With the score tied 4-4 with two out and runners on the corners in the bottom of the eighth, Rohrer lined a single into left field to put the Flames in front for good. Riley entered in the top of the ninth and after allowing the first two batters to reach on singles, struck out the next three Chanticleers to close out the victory.
Designated hitter Brady Gulakowski led Liberty with two hits, including his third home run of the year, and scored twice in the contest.
With the win, Liberty takes the series, two games to one. The Flames move to 27-10 on the season. Coastal Carolina falls to 19-15.
Box Score Highlights
Records: Coastal Carolina (19-15); Liberty (27-10)
Location: Lynchburg, Va. (Worthington Field at Liberty Baseball Stadium
WP: David Erickson (7-1) | LP: Luke Barrow (0-2) | SV: Landon Riley (5)
Scoring Summary
LIBERTY – 1st INNING – Wilkinson doubles, Anderson scores, 1-0
COASTAL – 2nd INNING – Gattinelli grounded, Brown scores, 1-1
COASTAL – 2nd INNING – Beach singles, Riopelle scores, 2-1
COASTAL – 2nd INNING – Lucky walked, Beach scores, 3-1
LIBERTY – 2nd INNING – Betts singles, Gulakowski scores, 3-2
LIBERTY – 4th INNING – Gulakowski homers, 3-3
LIBERTY – 5th INNING – Wilson reaches on sacrifice bunt, McDyre scores, 4-3
COASTAL – 7th INNING – Brown grounds out, Lucky scores, 4-4
LIBERTY – 8th INNING – Rohrer singles and moves to third on fielding error, McDyre and Locklear score, 6-4
Notable Numbers
- Coastal Carolina outhit Liberty, 10-7, in the contest. The Chanticleers committed the game's only error.
- The Flames left seven men on base. Coastal Carolina left 10.
- Liberty third baseman Trey McDyre tripled and walked, scoring twice, including the go-ahead run in the eighth.
- Fraser Ellard pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings and Mason Fluharty threw two scoreless innings for the Flames. Fraser struck out five and neither pitcher walked a batter.
- Liberty reliever David Erickson records his seventh victory of the year. He gave up one run on one hit.
- Riley earned his fifth save of the year. In his inning of work, he allowed two hits and struck out three.
- Four Coastal Carolina batters had two hits apiece in the contest.
- Chanticleers reliever Luke Barrow takes the loss. He allowed two runs on no hits in 1/3 of an inning. He walked two batters.
Turning Point
With the scored tied 4-4, Liberty put runners on the corners with one out. Coastal Carolina reliever Reid VanScoter entered the game and retired the first Flame he faced. Rohrer then followed lining a 2-1 pitch into left field to plate the go-ahead run and the other baserunner scored when the ball got by the left fielder to give Liberty a 6-4 lead.
In the top of the ninth, the first two batters of the inning singled against Riley. However, the right-hander battled back striking out the Chanticleers three, four and five hitters to seal the win.
Beyond the Box Score
- Liberty takes the series, 2-1. The series was the first between the two teams since 2016 and the first as non-conference opponents since 1983. Both teams used to be members of the Big South Conference.
- With the win, Liberty moves to 16-2 at Worthington Field at Liberty Baseball Stadium, this season.
- Gulakowski records his eighth multi-hit game of the season. He has at least one hit in each of his last five starts.
- Flames catcher Gray Betts had an RBI single and walked in the contest to extend his reached base safely streak to 26 consecutive games. It is the longest such streak for a Flame this season.
- Liberty shortstop Cam Locklear walked and scored a run. The shortstop has now reached base in 17 consecutive games.
- Garrett Wilkinson received his first start at first base and had an RBI double in the first inning. Wilkinson has reached base in each of his last seven starts.
- Erickson and Ellard lead the Flames with 17 appearances. With a 7-1 record, Erickson is tied for the ASUN lead in wins.
Next Up
Liberty travels to Charlottesville, Va., for a contest with the Virginia Cavaliers, Tuesday. Game time at Davenport Field at Disharoon Park is scheduled for 3 p.m.