Liberty University
8-8
East Carolina
11-4
Strong Outing by Evans Keys 2-0 Victory
3/13/2011 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Starting pitcher Steven Evans handcuffed host East Carolina in his longest outing of the year, propelling the Liberty Flames to a 2-0 victory over the Pirates in the final game of the Keith LeClair Classic, Sunday afternoon.
With three wins on the weekend, Liberty claims the Keith LeClair Classic title and evens its record at 8-8 on the year. East Carolina falls to 11-4 on the season and sees its five-game winning streak come to an end.
Evans held the Pirate hitters in check during his outing, scattering four hits over 7 1/3 scoreless innings to pick up his first victory of 2011. The left-hander struck out a season-high nine batters and walked three, running his record to 1-3 on the season. He retired the last eight batters he faced, before giving way to reliever Dane Beakler with one out
Liberty jumped on the scoreboard in the top of the third inning. Right fielder Michael Robertson led off the frame with a single through the middle, and moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Zack Haley. After East Carolina recorded the out at first on Haley's bunt, first baseman John Wooten threw wide of second base in an attempt to catch Robertson after rounding second, allowing the Flames' right fielder to move to third. The next batter, center fielder Ian Parmley, lifted a sacrifice fly to right, scoring Robertson for the first run of the contest.
The Flames extended their edge in their next at bat in the fourth inning. With one out, designated hitter Justin Sizemore walked and first baseman Austin Taylor singled. After Robertson walked to load the bases, Sizemore came home on a sacrifice fly by Haley to make it 2-0, Liberty.
It was all the runs Liberty needed, as Evans and Beakler combined for the shutout, the first of the year for the Flames pitching staff.
Beakler gave up one hit and struck out a batter over the final 1 2/3 innings, earning his second save of the season.
Liberty and East Carolina had four hits each in the pitchers' duel. Williams had two hits for the Flames, while Pirate designated hitter Chase McDonald had a pair of hits in the contest.
Liberty will travel to College Park, Md., for a two-game series with the Maryland Terrapins on Tuesday and Wednesday. First pitch both days is scheduled for 4 p.m.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Evans, Steven (1-3)
L: Woods, Zach (0-0)
S: Beakler, Dane (2)
Batting:
2B: Williams, Matt 1
RBI: Parmley, Ian 1 ; Haley, Zack 1
SH: Haley, Zack 1
SF: Parmley, Ian 1 ; Haley, Zack 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Sizemore, Justin 1 ; Robertson, Michael 1
SB: Williams, Matt 1
HBP: Bream, Tyler 1 ; Robertson, Michael 1
Base Running:
HBP: Thompson, Corey 1
