Liberty University
5-7
Binghamton
2-5
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Binghamton | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 12 | 3 |
| Liberty | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 0 | X | 9 | 9 | 3 |
Taylor Comes Up Big in Game Two Win
3/5/2011 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Liberty second baseman Austin Taylor hit his second home run of the season and drove in four runs, leading the Flames to a 9-6 victory over the Binghamton Bearcats in game two of a doubleheader, Saturday at Worthington Stadium. With the victory, the Flames achieved a split of the twinbill.
Liberty improves to 5-7 with the win. Binghamton falls to 2-5 on the year.
The Bearcats and Flames both got on the scoreboard, exchanging two-run home runs in the third inning. With catcher C.J. Lukaszewski aboard after a leadoff bunt single, Binghamton first baseman Dave Ciocchi lined a home run into the right field bullpen in the top of the inning. After a double by Michael Robertson opened the bottom of the frame, Taylor answered by launching his second round tripper of the season over the left field fence to tie the contest at 2-2.
In the fourth inning, Liberty broke the contest open by sending 11 men to the plate to score seven runs on six hits. Catcher Casey Rasmus started the uprising with a one-out single and quickly moved into scoring position by stealing second base. First baseman Justin Sizemore followed with a single inside the third base bag to cash in Rasmus and give the Flames a 3-2 advantage. After designated hitter Marcus Grimaldi reached on an error and Robertson singled, Taylor ripped a single down the left field line, plating Sizemore and Grimaldi. Robertson also scored on the play, when the ball hopped away from Bearcat left fielder Jeff Skelhorne-Gross, giving Liberty a 6-2 lead.
Third baseman Tyler Bream continued the scoring in the inning. The third baseman doubled off the right-center field wall to chase home Taylor and center fielder Ian Parmley, who had walked. The next batter, left fielder Doug Bream, capped the big frame with a double of his own, scoring second cousin Tyler for a 9-2 advantage.
Binghamton got back into the contest in the sixth. Shortstop John Howell and pinch hitter Mitchell Hollander reached on back-to-back singles with one out. After center fielder Peter Bregartner filled the sacks with a single, Ciocchi lined a bases-clearing double into the right-center field gap, cutting the Liberty lead to 9-5.
In the seventh, Binghamton threatened the Flames' advantage in its final at bat. Howell singled with one out and a runner on second to make it, 9-6 Liberty. Hollander, who took over at third base after pinch hitting, followed with a double to bring the tying run to the plate. However, Flame reliever Dane Beakler retired the next two Bearcats to seal the win.
Liberty starter Patrick Eckelbarger recorded the win in his first start for the Flames. The right-hander gave up two runs on five hits over four innings. He struck out two and did not walk a batter. Beakler followed with three innings of relief to earn his first save of the year. The senior allowed four runs on seven hits, striking out one and walking a batter during his relief stint.
Binghamton starter Jay Lynch falls to 1-1 on the year. He was roughed up for nine runs on eight hits, walking one over 3 2/3 innings.
Taylor, Tyler Bream and Robertson each had two hits for the Flames, who had nine hits in the contest. Ciocchi went 3-for-3 with five RBIs for the Bearcats. Binghamton had 12 hits in the game.
Binghamton and Liberty will complete their four-game series tomorrow afternoon with a single game at Worthington Stadium. First pitch for the series finale is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Eckelbarger, Patrick (1-1)
L: Lynch, Jay (1-1)
S: Beakler, Dane (1)
Batting:
2B: Ciocchi, Dave 1 ; Skelhorne-Gross, Jef 1 ; Hollander, Mitchell 1
HR: Ciocchi, Dave 1
RBI: Ciocchi, Dave 5 ; Howell, John 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Bregartner, Peter 1 ; Lukaszewski, C.J. 1 ; Ciocchi, Dave 1 ; McGraw, Shaun 1 ; Howell, John 1 ; Hollander, Mitchell 1
HBP: Howell, John 1
Batting:
2B: Bream, Tyler 1 ; Bream, Doug 1 ; Robertson, Michael 1
HR: Taylor, Austin 1
RBI: Bream, Tyler 2 ; Bream, Doug 1 ; Sizemore, Justin 1 ; Taylor, Austin 4
Base Running:
RUNS: Parmley, Ian 1 ; Bream, Tyler 1 ; Rasmus, Casey 1 ; Sizemore, Justin 1 ; Grimaldi, Marcus 1 ; Robertson, Michael 2 ; Taylor, Austin 2
SB: Rasmus, Casey 1
CS: Williams, Matt 1
HBP: Sizemore, Justin 1
