Liberty University
11-1
North Carolina
11-2
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| LIBERTY | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | X | 1 | 4 | 0 |
No. 14 Liberty’s Pitching Dominates in 1-0 Win over No.15 North Carolina
3/8/2022 9:25:00 PM | Baseball
Postgame Press Conference - Head Coach Scott Jackson
Postgame Press Conference - Aaron Anderson
Postgame Press Conference - Mason Fluharty
Postgame Press Conference - Cade Hungate
The No. 14 Liberty Flames' pitchers handcuffed No. 15 North Carolina throughout the contest, shutting out the Tar Heels 1-0, Tuesday afternoon at Worthington Field at Liberty Baseball Stadium.
Right fielder Aaron Anderson's first-inning home run, his fourth of the year, was the only run the Flames needed on the afternoon as four Liberty pitchers combined on the shutout.
After starter Dylan Cumming pitched a scoreless 4 2/3 innings, Liberty relievers Mason Fluharty, Jeremy Beamon and Cade Hungate picked up where the right-hander left off, scattering three hits over the final 4 1/3 innings in the victory. The Flames bullpen collectively has not allowed a run in seven appearances, this season.
The victory extends Liberty's winning streak to 11 games. The Flames move to 11-1 on the season. North Carolina sees its five-game win streak come to an end at five. The Tar Heels fall to 11-2.
Box Score Highlights
Records: North Carolina (11-2); Liberty (11-1)
Location: Lynchburg, Va. (Worthington Field at Liberty Baseball Stadium)
WP: Mason Fluharty (1-0) | LP: Connor Bovair (1-1) | SV: Cade Hungate (4)
Scoring Summary
1st INNING – LIBERTY – Anderson homers, 1-0
Notable Numbers
- North Carolina outhit Liberty, 9-4, in the contest. Neither team committed an error.
- The Flames left seven men on. The Tar Heels left nine men on.
- Fluharty records the win. He entered the game with a runner on second and two out in the fifth and went on to pitch 2 1/3 scoreless innings. He struck out four of the eight batters he faced.
- Beamon pitched a scoreless eighth, striking out one.
- Hungate earned his fourth save of the year. The right-hander allowed two hits in the ninth. He recorded all three outs in the inning by strikeout.
- No Flame had more than one hit in the contest.
- Connor Bovair takes the loss for North Carolina. The first of four Tar Heels to pitch in the contest, he gave up one run on three hits over two innings. He struck out three and walked one.
Turning Point
In the top of the fifth, the Tar Heels advanced a runner to third base with two outs. The Flames went to the bullpen and brought in Fluharty. After hitting the first batter he faced, he struck out North Carolina catcher Tomas Frick to end the inning and preserve Liberty's 1-0 lead.
Later in the contest, North Carolina put two men on with one out in the top of the ninth against Hungate. But, the Liberty reliever struck out the next Tar Heels to close out the 1-0 victory.
Beyond the Box Score
- Today's contest was the first-ever meeting between Top 25 teams at Worthington Field at Liberty Baseball Stadium.
- Liberty moves to 8-0 at home in 2022 and has now won 17 consecutive home games.
- The Flames have beaten the Tar Heels in each of their last three meetings.
- Fluharty records the first win of his collegiate career. The sophomore has not allowed a run in six appearances, this season.
- The shutout is the first of the season for the Flames.
Up Next
Liberty wrap-up its seven-game homestand, this weekend. The Flames will host the Campbell Fighting' Camels for a three-game series, starting Friday. Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Fluharty, Mason (1-0)
L: Connor Bovair (1-1)
S: Hungate, Cade (4)
Batting:
2B: Will Stewart 1
Base Running:
SB: Angel Zarate 1
CS: Vance Honeycutt 1
HBP: Angel Zarate 1
Batting:
HR: Anderson, Aaron 1
RBI: Anderson, Aaron 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Anderson, Aaron 1
HBP: Orndorff, Derek 1
