Liberty University
6-1
Winthrop
2-5
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winthrop | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 3 |
| LIBERTY | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | X | 13 | 14 | 0 |
No. 21 Liberty Wallops Winthrop 13-2, Completing Sweep, Sunday
2/27/2022 6:31:00 PM | Baseball
First baseman Brady Gulakowski and catcher Three Hillier hit back-to-back home runs as the No. 21 Liberty Flames plated nine runs in the second inning and never looked back, cruising past the Winthrop Eagles 13-2, Sunday afternoon at Worthington Field at Liberty Ballpark. With the win, the Flames sweep the three-game series and win their sixth consecutive game.
In the second inning, Liberty scored nine runs on five hits, sending 13 men to the plate. Besides Gulakowski's three-run homer and Hillier solo home run, right fielder Aaron Anderson also hit a solo home run in the inning. Gulakowski also had a two-run double in the second, finishing the afternoon with five RBI.
Gulakowski and Anderson each hit his second home run of the year. Hillier's round-tripper was the first home run of his collegiate career.
With the victory, Liberty improves to 6-1 on the season. Winthrop falls to 2-5.
Box Score Highlights
Records: Winthrop (2-5); Liberty (6-1)
Location: Lynchburg, Va. (Worthington Field at Liberty Baseball Stadium)
WP: Max Alba (1-0) | LP: Tyler Jones (0-2)
Scoring Summary
LIBERTY – 2nd INNING – Gulakowski homers, Foster and Orndorff score, 3-0
LIBERTY – 2nd INNING – Hillier homers, 4-0
LIBERTY – 2nd INNING – Betts triples, Keeter scores, 5-0
LIBERTY – 2nd INNING – Hill flies out, Betts scores, 6-0
LIBERTY – 2nd INNING – Anderson homers, 7-0
LIBERTY – 2nd INNING – Gulakowski doubles, Foster and Orndorff score, 9-0
LIBERTY – 5th INNING – Betts singles, Peters scores, 10-0
LIBERTY – 5th INNING – Hill doubles, Betts scores, 11-0
LIBERTY – 6th INNING – Peters reaches on a fielder's choice, Keeter and Hillier score on a throwing error (unearned), 13-0
WINTHROP – 8th INNING – Szvetitz doubled, Chronis and Conrad score, 13-2
Notable Numbers
- Liberty outhit Winthrop, 14-4. The Eagles committed three errors in the contest.
- Each team left eight men on base.
- Liberty starting pitcher Max Alba did not allow a run over the first six innings, recording his first victory as a Flame. He gave up three hits, striking out eight and walking one.
- Six Flames had two hits apiece in the contest. Besides Gulakowski, Hillier, Anderson, designated hitter Gray Betts, third baseman Stephen Hill and shortstop Ty Peters each collected two hits in the contest.
- Winthrop starter Tyler Jones was roughed up for six runs on three hits over 1 1/3 innings. He struck out two and walked three.
- No Eagle had more than one hit in the contest.
Turning Point
The Flames put the game out of reach early with their nine-run second inning. After walks to center fielder Derek Orndorff and second baseman Cameron Foster, Gulakowski homered over the right-center field wall for a 3-0 lead. Hillier followed with a solo home run to right center field, making it 4-0 Flames.
Three batters later and with left fielder Nate Keeter aboard, Betts lined a run-scoring triple into the left center field gap and Hill followed with a sacrifice fly for a 6-0 lead. Anderson then belted the third home run of the inning for a 7-0 lead. The Flames plated two more runs in the inning for an early 9-0 advantage.
Beyond the Box Score
- With the win, Liberty moves to 4-0 at home and records its first home series sweep of 2022. The Flames have won 17 consecutive home series dating back to 2018. The last time Liberty lost a three-game series at home came against Radford on May 11-13, 2018.
- Liberty has won 30 of its last 31 games and 13 consecutive games at Worthington Field at Liberty Ballpark.
- With Alba's six shutout innings today, Liberty starting pitchers allowed two runs, one earned, over 17 2/3 innings in the series, a 0.51 ERA.
- Gulakowski's five RBI are the most by the senior since he knocked in six in Liberty's win over Duke at the NCAA Knoxville, Tenn., Regional on June 4, 2021. He has two multiple-hit and two multiple-RBI games, this season.
- Anderson records his third consecutive game with two or more hits. The outfielder leads the Flames with four multi-hit games.
- Hillier and Peters each collect the first multi-hit games of their collegiate career. Hillier records two or more hits in his first start at catcher and the second of his career. Meanwhile, Peters' two hits in the contest were the first of his Liberty career.
- Orndorff reached base four times in the game, singling, walking twice and being hit by a pitch. The center fielder is the only Flame with a hit in all seven games.
Up Next
Liberty will travel to Radford, Va., for a contest against the Radford Highlanders, Tuesday. Game time at Sherman Carter Memorial Stadium is scheduled for 4 p.m.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Alba, Max (1-0)
L: JONES, Tyler (0-2)
Batting:
2B: SZVETITZ, Joseph 1
RBI: SZVETITZ, Joseph 2
Base Running:
RUNS: FEWELL, Ethan 1 ; CHRONIS, Nate 1
HBP: MILLER, Khyree 1
Batting:
2B: Hill, Stephen 1 ; Gulakowski, Brady 1
3B: Betts, Gray 1
HR: Anderson, Aaron 1 ; Gulakowski, Brady 1 ; Hillier, Three 1
RBI: Betts, Gray 1 ; Hill, Stephen 2 ; Anderson, Aaron 1 ; Gulakowski, Brady 5 ; Hillier, Three 1
SF: Hill, Stephen 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Betts, Gray 2 ; Anderson, Aaron 1 ; Orndorff, Derek 2 ; Foster, Cam 2 ; Gulakowski, Brady 1 ; Hillier, Three 2 ; Keeter, Nathan 2 ; Peters, Ty 1
SB: Orndorff, Derek 1 ; Keeter, Nathan 1
HBP: Orndorff, Derek 1 ; Keeter, Nathan 1
