Liberty Takes Season-Opening Series with 5-3 Win over No. 9 Florida

The Flames scored five unanswered runs and their bullpen did not allow a run over the final five innings, propelling Liberty past the No. 9 Florida Gators 5-3, Sunday afternoon at Florida Ballpark. With the victory, the Flames take their season-opening series with the Gators, two games to one.

Trailing 3-0 after four innings, Liberty stormed back with five runs over the next three innings to take an advantage they would never relinquish.

The Liberty bullpen, which held the Gators scoreless over the final four innings yesterday, clamped down again, shutting out Florida over the final five innings in the victory. Five Flame relievers combined to handcuff the Gators.

Designated hitter Brady Gulakowski had a game-high three hits, including his first home run of the season, and drove in two runs. Aaron Anderson also hit his first home run of 2022, a two-run shot in the fifth.

Liberty moves 2-1 on the season. The Gators fall to 1-2.

Box Score Highlights

Records: Liberty (2-1); Florida (1-2)

Location: Gainesville, Fla. (Florida Ballpark)

WP: Jeremy Beamon (1-0) | LP: Phillip Abners (0-1) | SV: Cade Hungate (2)

Scoring Summary

4^th INNING – UF – Rivera doubles, Langford scores, 1-0

4^th INNING – UF – Riopelle homers, Rivera scores, 3-0

5^th INNING – LIBERTY – Aaron Anderson homers, Betts scores, 3-2

5^th INNING – LIBERTY – Gulakowski doubles, Hill scores, 3-3

6^th INNING – LIBERTY – Betts flies out, Hill scores, 4-3

7^th INNING – LIBERTY – Gulakowski homers, 5-3

Notable Numbers

- Liberty outhit Florida, 10-5. Neither team committed an error.

- The Flames left 11 men on base, while the Gators left seven.

- Besides Gulakowski, Anderson and catcher Gray Betts each had two hits in the contest.

- Liberty relievers Jeremy Beamon, Garrett Horn, Mason Fluharty, Nick Willard and Cade Hungate limited Florida to two hits over 5 1/3 innings. They combined to strike out seven and walk two.

- Beamon records his first Liberty win with 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. For the second consecutive day, Hungate earned a save with a scoreless ninth.

- Florida reliever Philip Abner takes the loss of the second of five Gators to pitch in the contest. He gave up two runs on two hits over 2/3 inning. He walked two.

- Gators’ catcher BT Riopelle hit a two-run homer run.

Turning Point

With the score tied at 3-3, the Flames took the lead in the top of the sixth. Center fielder Derek Orndorff and shortstop Jake Lazzaro walked to open the inning. After left fielder Nate Keeter moved both runners into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt, Betts lined a fly ball to right field. Orndorff tagged and headed to the plate, beating the throw to give Liberty the lead.

Beyond the Box Score

- For the first time since 2018, Liberty takes a season-opening series. The Flames swept VCU in a three-game opening series at Worthington Field at Liberty Baseball Stadium, Feb. 16-18.

- The Flames have not lost back-to-back games since being swept in a doubleheader at TCU on Feb. 28, 2021.

- Entering the season, Florida had won eight consecutive three-game series at Florida Ballpark.

- The Liberty bullpen did not allow a run over the final 13 1/3 innings.

- Anderson, Betts and Gulakowski each collected his first multi-hit game of the season on Sunday. Betts is one of three Flames to have at least one hit in each of the first three games.

- Beamon and Horn made their first collegiate appearances. Beamon did not allow a run over 1 1/3 innings. Horn pitched a scoreless sixth inning.

Up Next

Liberty will open the home part of its 2022 schedule on Wednesday. The Flames will host the North Carolina A&T Aggies at Worthington Field at Liberty Baseball Stadium. First pitch is slated for 4 p.m.