Liberty University
37-13
Jacksonville
14-32
Jacksonville Slips Past Liberty 2-1 in ASUN Semifinals
5/27/2021 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Postgame comments - head coach Scott Jackson
The No. 4 South seed Jacksonville Dolphins Edged the No. 1 North seed Liberty Flames 2-1, Thursday in the ASUN Semifinals at UNF's Harmon Stadium.
With the setback, the Flames will play in an elimination contest against the loser of Game 2 between N2 Kennesaw State and S2 North Florida later today. Game time tomorrow is scheduled for 11 a.m.
All the scoring in the contest was done in the first inning, as Jacksonville pitcher Tyler Santana and Liberty pitcher Dylan Cumming held their opponents in check after the opening inning.
Santana limited the Flames to one run on three hits through eight innings in recording the win. He struck out five and walked three.
Liberty was limited to four hits in the contest. The Flames had never been held to fewer than five hits in a game this season.
Liberty falls to 37-13. Jacksonville improves to 14-32. The Dolphins advance to Game 4 of the double-elimination tournament against the winner of Game 2 at 3 p.m.
Box Score Highlights
Records: Jacksonville (14-32); Liberty (37-13)
Location: Jacksonville, Fla. (Harmon Stadium)
WP: Tyler Santana (5-7) | LP: Dylan Cumming (4-2)| Save: Jagger McCoy (5)
Scoring Summary
JAX – 1st INNING – Julylia triples, Someillan scores, 1-0
JAX – 1st INNING – Coipel singles, Julyia scores, 2-0
LIBERTY – 1st INNING – Gulakowski reaches on an error, Wagner scores, 2-1
Notable Numbers
- Jacksonville outhit Liberty, 6-4. The Dolphins committed two errors.
- Liberty left six men on base, while Jacksonville left four men on base.
- Cumming takes the loss, despite allowing two runs on five hits over five innings. He walked two batters.
- Liberty relievers David Erickson, Mason Fluharty and ASUN All-Conference first team member Fraser Ellard each pitched a scoreless inning.
- Dolphin reliever Jagger McCoy got out of a ninth inning jam to record his fifth save of the year.
- No player on either team had more than one hit in the contest.
- There was only one extra base hit in the game, a triple in the first by Dolphins shortstop Dakota Julylia.
Turning Point
Trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the ninth, Liberty tried to rally, putting runners at the corners with one out. However, McCoy was able to get the next two outs to hold off the Flames for the victory.
Beyond the Box Score
- Liberty is playing in its second ASUN Tournament. The Flames became the first team since UCF in 1985 to win the conference's title in their first year in the ASUN in 2019.
- The Flames are playing for the first time at North Florida's Harmon Stadium since 2014. That year, Liberty opened the season in the Best Bet Tournament against North Florida, South Florida and Richmond.
- Shortstop Cam Locklear tied Dalton Britt (2013-2016) for the most games played in program history by playing in his 339th game of his career, today.
- Flames catcher Gray Betts led off the bottom of the first inning with a single. He has reached base safely in a team-leading 39 consecutive games.
- Designated hitter Brady Gulakowski singled in the fourth inning. He has now reached base in 11 straight games.
- Cumming has allowed three or fewer runs in six of his seven starts.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Tyler Santana (5-7)
L: Cumming, Dylan (4-2)
S: Jagger McCoy (5)
Batting:
3B: Dakota Julylia 1
RBI: Dakota Julylia 1 ; Christian Coipel 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Ruben Someillan 1 ; Dakota Julylia 1
CS: Tommy Joseph 1
HBP: Christian Coipel 1
PO: Christian Coipel 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Wagner, Will 1
PO: Locklear, Cam 1
