Liberty Powers Past Fordham

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
FORDHAM	1	0	1	3	1	0	0	0	0	6	12	2
LIBERTY	2	4	3	0	1	3	0	6	X	19	18	0

FORDHAM

LIBERTY

The Liberty Flames hit six home runs, including two by Doug Bream, en route to a 19-6 victory over the Fordham Rams, Wednesday afternoon at Worthington Stadium.

Liberty snaps a mini two-game skid, improving to 11-5 overall on the season. Fordham drops to 4-11 overall. The Flames 19 runs are the most by the Flames in a contest since Feb. 18, 2007, when Liberty defeated Richmond, 28-7, in Charleston, S.C., during the Crab House Shootout.

The Flames' six home runs are one shy of the Liberty mark for home runs in a contest. The 1998 squad hit seven round trippers in a game on March 27 of that year in a 17-7 victory over UMBC at Worthington Stadium, and the 1986 team connected for the same number on April 15, 1986 in a 20-6 win at UNC Asheville.

The visiting Rams plated a run in the top of the opening inning. Shortstop Danny Leach opened the contest with a triple off the right-center field wall and scored on a wild pitch.

In the home half of the frame, the Flames countered with two runs to take an early advantage. Big South Player of the Week, center fielder Curran Redal (Jr., Moses Lake, Wash.), was hit by a pitch with one out. Right fielder Bream (So., Elizabethtown, Pa.) followed by lining a home run over the right center field wall for a 2-1 lead. The four-bagger was the right fielder's third of the year.

Liberty upped its advantage with two home runs in the second inning. First baseman Trey Wimmer (Fr., Greenwood, S.C.) led off the frame with a blast over the bullpen behind the left field wall, his third round tripper of the year. Later in the inning, designated hitter John Long walked and moved to third on a single by shortstop Matt Williams (Fr., Franklin, Tenn.). Redal followed with his third home run of the year, a liner into the visiting bullpen in right field for a 6-1 edge.

Fordham scored a run in the top of the third frame. Second baseman Rob Iacono singled with one out and moved to second on a single by Leach. After advancing to third on a fielder's choice, Iacono made it 6-2 Liberty, plating a run on a passed ball.

In the bottom of the inning, the Flames scored three runs to take a 9-2 lead. Left fielder Jeff Jefferson (So., Danville, Va.) opened the frame by launching his third home run of the year over the left field fence for a 7-2 advantage. Later in the inning, designated hitter John Long (Fr., Anderson, S.C.) connected for a two-run home run, his first collegiate round tripper, to give Liberty a seven-run cushion.

The Rams trimmed the Flames advantage with three runs in the fourth inning and one in the fifth frame. In the fourth, a two-run double by right fielder Alex Kenny and an RBI single by Iacono provided the Fordham runs. In the fifth, first baseman Bobby DiNardo led off the inning with a double, and later scored on a double by third baseman Ryan McCann, cutting the Liberty lead to 9-6.

The Flames stretched their advantage with a run in the bottom of the fifth inning. Jefferson and catcher Errol Hollinger (Sr., Upland, Calif.) began the frame with back-to-back singles. Wimmer followed with a RBI single to extended Liberty's edge to 10-6.

In the sixth inning, the Flames scored three more runs. With runners on the corners and two outs, Hollinger laid down a bunt single, plating the runner on third base. When Ram third baseman McCrann overthrew first base on Hollinger's bunt, Bream who had singled earlier, scored. Wimmer followed with a single for a 13-6 lead.

Liberty plated six more in the eighth inning for the final score of 19-6, highlighted by Bream's second home run of the game. The Flames right fielder ripped his fourth round tripper of the year, leading off the frame. Later in the inning, Liberty scored on an RBI single by Wimmer, when Williams walked with the bases loaded, and on a bases-clearing double by pinch hitter Joseph Feeley (So., OF, Chesapeake City, Md.).

Bream's two home run game was the first by a Flame since teammate Hollinger hit two round trippers in a 5-4 win at Radford on April 11 of last season.

Right-hander Zane Bator (Jr., Moses Lake, Wash.), the second of four Liberty pitchers in the contest, picks up the win in his debut on the mound for the Flames. Bator did not allowing a run, while scattering three hits and striking out three in 2 2/3 innings of relief.

Fordham starter Brando Casalicchio takes the loss to fall to 0-2 on the year. The first of six Ram hurlers in the game allowed nine runs on eight hits over three innings.

Wimmer had four hits and four RBIs, while Bream added three hits and three RBIs to pace the Flames' 18-hit attack.

Shortstop Leach had three hits in the contest for Fordham.

Liberty hosts the Lafayette Leopards tomorrow evening at Worthington Stadium. Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m.

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Team Stats

Wimmer Trey

Bream Doug

Hollinger Errol

Jefferson Jeff