Liberty University
0-1
Florida
1-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LIBERTY | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 1 |
| Florida Gators | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | X | 7 | 7 | 0 |
No. 9 Florida Downs Liberty 7-2 in Season Opener
2/19/2022 12:07:34 AM | Baseball
The No. 9 Florida Gators defeated the Liberty Flames 7-2, Friday night at the Florida Ballpark. The contest was the season-opening contest for both teams.
Right fielder Sterlin Thompson hit two home runs, a solo home run in the fifth and a grand slam in the seventh for the Gators, to back starting pitcher Hunter Barco.
Left fielder Nick Keeter had two hits in his first collegiate contest and center fielder Derek Orndorff hit a home run for the Flames.
Liberty tried to rally in the ninth inning by loading the bases with one out, but Florida reliever Ryan Slater came into the contest was able to retire the final two batters of the inning to close out the victory.
Box Score Highlights
Records: Liberty (0-1); Florida (1-0)
Location: Gainesville, Fla. (Florida Ballpark)
WP: Hunter Branco (1-0) | LP: Joe Adametz III (0-1) I SV: Ryan Slater (1)
Scoring Summary
1st INNING – UF – Calilao grounds out, Fabian scores (unearned), 1-0
2nd INNING – UF – Langford homers, 2-0
5th INNING – UF – Thompson homers, 3-0
7th INNING – UF – Thompson homers, J. Fabian, Halter, D. Fabian score, 7-0
8th INNING – LIBERTY – Orndorff homers, 7-1
8th INNING – LIBERTY – Betts singles, Lazzaro scores, 7-2
Notable Numbers
- Florida outhit Liberty, 7-5, in the contest. The Flames committed the only game’s only error.
- Liberty left seven men on base, while Florida left five.
- Besides Keeter and Orndorff, catcher Gray Betts and second baseman Cameron Foster had hits for the Flames.
- Liberty starter Joe Adametz III takes the loss, allowing two runs on three hits over four innings. He struck five and walked one.
- Â Florida starter Barco held the Flames to one hit over six innings. The 2021 Freshman All-American struck out a career-high 11 in the victory.
- Outfielder Wyatt Langford also hit a solo home run for the Gators.
Turning Point
Held in check over the first five innings by Barco, the Flames threaten to score in the sixth. With one out, shortstop Jake Lazzaro walked and moved to second on a single by left fielder Nathan Keeter. After a flyout, both runners moved into scoring position at second and third, but Barco was able to retire right fielder Aaron Anderson to keep the Flames off the scoreboard.
Beyond the Box Score
- Liberty baseball began its 50th season, tonight. The Flames have opened their season on the road 16 out of the past 17 years and have posted a 28-20 mark in season openers since 1976 (no records for 1973, 1974 and 1975).
- Tonight’s contest drew 6,463 fans, a new stadium record for the two-year-old Florida Ballpark.
- Besides his first Liberty hit being a home run, Orndorff made an outstanding catch diving out, running down a ball over his head and tumbling onto the warning track to rob a Gator of extra bases in the third.
- Keeter’s single in the sixth was the first collegiate hit of his collegiate career. Foster’s single in the ninth was also the first of his collegiate career.
- Liberty and Florida met for the second time and the first since March 2, 1981, this evening.
Up Next
The Flames and Gators will meet again, tomorrow afternoon at Florida Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Barco (1-0)
L: Adametz III, Joe (0-1)
S: Slater (1)
Batting:
HR: Orndorff, Derek 1
RBI: Betts, Gray 1 ; Orndorff, Derek 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Orndorff, Derek 1 ; Lazzaro, Jake 1
HBP: Lazzaro, Jake 1
Batting:
2B: Guscette 1
HR: S. Thompson 2 ; Langford 1
RBI: S. Thompson 5 ; Calilao 1 ; Langford 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Halter 1 ; Fabian 2 ; S. Thompson 2 ; Langford 1 ; D. Fabian 1
HBP: Halter 1 ; Fabian 1
