Liberty University
39-14
Jacksonville
16-32
Jacksonville Holds off Liberty in the 9th in ASUN Championship Final
5/29/2021 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Postgame comments - head coach Scott Jackson
A ninth-inning rally by the No. 1 North seed Liberty Flames fell short, as the No. 4 South seed Jacksonville Dolphins defeated the Flames 7-3 to capture the 2021 ASUN Conference title, Saturday at Harmon Stadium.
In the ninth inning trailing 7-1, the Flames loaded the bases and scored twice with no outs to cut their deficit to 7-3. However, Jacksonville pitcher Tyler Santana, the ASUN Tournament MVP, was able to end the rally to win the ASUN title.
Leading 2-1 in the seventh, Jacksonville plated five runs with two outs to break open what had been a tightly contested game.
Dolphins right-hander Mason Adams held the Flames to one run on five hits over the first 6 2/3 innings, before leaving with a runner on second base and two out in the top of the seventh. He struck out seven and walked three in picking up the win.
Left fielder Aaron Anderson had two hits, including a double, to lead the Flames at the plate.
Liberty falls to 39-14 on the season. The surprising Dolphins, 16-32 on the year, win their first ASUN Conference title since 2009 and receive the league's automatic bid to an NCAA Regional
Box Score Highlights
Records: Jacksonville (16-32); Liberty (39-14)
Location: Jacksonville, Fla. (Harmon Stadium)
WP: Mason Adams (2-4) | LP: Mason Hand (1-2)
Scoring Summary
LIBERTY – 1st INNING – Wagner grounds into fielder's choice, Betts scores, 1-0
JAX – 1st INNING – Cassala homers, Somellian scores, 2-1
JAX – 7th INNING – Heffron singles, Coipel and Somellian score, 4-1
JAX – 7th ININNG – Flowers singles, Cassala scores, 5-1
JAX – 7th INNING – Hunter singles, Heffron scores on a throwing error, 6-1
JAX – 7th INNING – Flowers scores on a wild pitch, 7-1
LIBERTY – 9th INNING - Rohrer hit by pitch, Wilkinson scores, 7-2
LIBERTY – 9th INING – Wagner singles, Rohrer scores, 7-3
Notable Numbers
- Jacksonville outhit Liberty, 8-6, in the contest. Each team committed an error.
- The Flames left men on base. The Dolphins left men on base.
- Liberty starter Mason Hand takes the loss. He allowed two runs on four hits over 1 1/3 innings. He walked one.
- Flames reliever David Erickson pitched 4 2/3 innings of scoreless relief. The right-hander did not allow a hit. He struck out three and walked four.
- Liberty pitchers David Erickson and Fraser Ellard did not allow Jacksonville hit from one out in the second until two out in the seventh.
- Right fielder Duncan Hunter led Jacksonville with two hits.
- Designated hitter Matt Cassala hit his first home run of the season in the first inning.
Turning Point
Leading 2-1 in bottom of the seventh, Jacksonville plated five runs with two outs to take a 7-1 advantage. The Dolphins used four hits, three walks and benefited from error to break the game open.
Beyond the Box Score
- Liberty played in its 10th conference championship game in program history and its second under head coach Scott Jackson.
- The Flames have played for the ASUN Championship in each of its first two seasons in the conference. Liberty won the title in its first season in the league in 2019.
- The Flames lost both of their games in the 2021 ASUN Baseball Championship to Jacksonville.
- Liberty shortstop Cam Locklear, outfielders Jaylen Guy and Jake Wilson and pitcher Trevor Delaite were named to the ASUN All-Tournament team.
- With two hits, Anderson now leads the Flames with 23 multi-hit games. He also doubled to up his ASUN-leading total to 22.
- Flames catcher Gray Betts led off the game with a double and scored the game's first run. The catcher also walked. He has reached base safely in a team-leading 42 consecutive games.
Next up
The Flames now wait to see if they receive an at-large bid to a 2021 NCAA Regional on Monday. The NCAA selection show will be televised on ESPN2 beginning at Noon.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Mason Adams (2-4)
L: Hand, Mason (1-2)
Batting:
2B: Betts, Gray 1 ; Anderson, Aaron 1
RBI: Anderson, Aaron 1 ; Wagner, Will 2
SH: Mathieu, Logan 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Betts, Gray 1 ; Wilkinson, Garrett 1 ; Rohrer, Brandon 1
SB: Locklear, Cam 1
HBP: Anderson, Aaron 1
Batting:
HR: Mike Cassala 1
RBI: Mike Cassala 2 ; Cory Heffron 2 ; Elias Flowers 1
SH: Jackson Grabsky 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Ruben Someillan 2 ; Christian Coipel 1 ; Mike Cassala 2 ; Cory Heffron 1 ; Elias Flowers 1
SB: Duncan Hunter 1
HBP: Jesus Pacheco 1
