Liberty University
3-5
UCF
3-6
Mathieu's 2-Run Home Runs Powers Liberty Past UCF 2-1 in Game 1
3/5/2021 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Liberty first baseman Logan Mathieu's two-run home run proved to be the difference, as the Flames slipped past the UCF Knights 2-1 in game one of a doubleheader, Friday afternoon at John Euliano Park.
Liberty pitchers Trevor Delaite and Fraser Ellard combined to allow just one run on two hits through the first 8 2/3 innings, but needed Landon Riley to come on to get the final out with the bases loaded to secure the win.
With a runner aboard and the Flames trailing 1-0 in the top of the sixth inning, Mathieu hit his second home run of the season to give Liberty a 2-1 edge.
Liberty ups its record to 4-5 on the season. UCF falls to 3-6.
Box Score Highlights
Records: Liberty (4-5): UCF (3-6)
Location: Orlando, Fla. (John Euliano Park)
WP: Trevor Delaite (1-2) | LP: Colton Gordon (1-1) | SV: Landon Riley (1)
Scoring Summary
UCF – 1st INNING – McCabe homers, 1-0
LIBERTY – 6th INNING – Mathieu homers, Wagner scores, 2-1
Notable Numbers
- Liberty outhit UCF, 5-2, in the game. The host Knights committed the game's lone error.
- UCF left seven men on base. Liberty left three.
- All three runs in the contest came on two-out home runs.
- Flames catcher Gray Betts was the only player in the game with two hits.
- Liberty's Delaite picks up his first win as a Flame. The transfer allowed one run on two hits over the first five innings. He struck out six and walked two.
- Fraser Ellard took over from Delaite in the sixth and pitched 3 2/3 innings. He retired 10 men in a row after entering the game. He struck out six and walked one.
- Riley struck out the only batter he faced in the ninth inning for his first save of 2021.
- UCF pitcher Colton Gordon pitched a complete game. He allowed two runs on five hits. He struck out 10 and did not walk a batter.
Turning Point
In the bottom of the ninth, UCF loaded the bases without a hit, when Ellard hit left fielder Pablo Ruiz with two outs. Landon Riley was summoned from the Liberty bullpen and struck out pinch hitter Tom Josten to end the game.
Beyond the Box Score
- Liberty snapped a five-game road losing streak with the win. The Flames had not won on the road since winning the season opener 4-1 at Campbell on Feb. 19.
- With two hits in game one, Betts now has four multi-hit games on the season to lead the Flames.
- Flames left-fielder Aaron Anderson did not reach base in a game for the first time this season. He had entered the contest having reached base safely in eight consecutive games.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: DeLaite, Trevor (1-1)
L: C Gordon (1-1)
S: Riley, Landon (1)
Batting:
HR: Mathieu, Logan 1
RBI: Mathieu, Logan 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Wagner, Will 1 ; Mathieu, Logan 1
Batting:
HR: B McCabe 1
RBI: B McCabe 1
Base Running:
RUNS: B McCabe 1
SB: G Pena 1 ; N Orlando 1
HBP: G Pena 1 ; J Rathbone 1 ; P Ruiz 1
