No. 3 Cavaliers Slide Past Flames 7-2

The No. 3 Virginia Cavaliers topped the Liberty Flames 7-2, Wednesday evening at Disharoon Park.

After Liberty knotted the contest in the top of the fourth at 1-1, Virginia scored a run in the home half of the inning to go back in front and then plated three more in the fifth inning en route to the victory.

Flames center fielder Derek Orndorff hit his 12^th home run in the eighth inning. Catcher Gray Betts added two hits for Liberty.

The Flames drop to 17-10 overall. Virginia moves to 26-3.

Box Score Highlights

Records: Liberty (17-10); Virginia (26-3)

Location: Charlottesville, Va. (Disharoon Park)

WP: Devin Ortiz (4-1) | LP: Trey Gibson (3-3)

Scoring Summary

1^st INNING – UVA – Tappen reaches on an error, Keel scores (unearned), 1-0

4^th INNING – LIBERTY – Mathieu grounds into fielder’s choice, Mathieu scores, 1-1

4^th INNING – UVA – Anderson doubles, Tappen scores, 2-1

5^th INNING – UVA – Gelof singles, Keel and O’Ferrall score, 4-1

5^th INNING – UVA – Newell bunt single, Ortiz scores, 5-1

6^th INNING – UVA – Tappen singles, O’Ferrall scores, 6-1

7^th INNING – UVA – Cotier singles, Saucke scores, 7-1

8^th INNING – LIBERTY – Orndorff homers, 7-2

Notable Numbers

- Virginia outhit Liberty, 12-5, in the contest. Each team committed two errors apiece.

- Liberty left five men on base. Virginia left nine men on base.

- Flames’ starting pitcher Trey Gibson takes the loss. The right-hander gave up three runs on seven hits over four innings. He struck out three and did not walk a batter.

- Liberty’s five pitchers combined to walk six batters in the contest, tying a season-high.

- Virginia starter Devin Ortiz records the win. He allowed one run on four hits over 4 2/3 innings. He struck out five and walked one.

Turning Point

After the Flames pushed a run across in the top of the fourth to tie the game at 1-1, the Cavaliers struck for a two-out run in the bottom of the inning, taking a lead they never relinquished. Left fielder Alex Tappen opened the frame with a single, only to see the next two batters retired. First baseman Ethan Anderson then ripped a 1-2 pitch down the right field line for a double, scoring Tappen for a 2-1 advantage. Host Virginia followed with three runs in the fifth to pull away on the scoreboard.

Beyond the Box Score

- Tonight’s game is the only game scheduled contest between Liberty and Virginia, this season.

- Liberty finishes its five-game road trip with a 2-3 mark.

- The Flames are now 3-2 against nationally ranked teams in 2022.

- With two hits in the contest, Betts collects his ninth multi-hit game of the year.

- Orndorff leads the ASUN Conference in home runs with 12.

Up Next

Liberty steps back into ASUN Conference play this weekend. The Flames will host the FGCU Eagles for a three-game series at Worthington Field at Liberty Baseball Stadium, beginning Friday. Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m.