Friday, March 28
Jacksonville, Ala.
7:00 PM ET/6:00 PM CT
Liberty University
19-8, 2-2
9
at
8
Jacksonville State
16-10, 1-3
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
R
H
E
Liberty
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
4
9
9
3
Jacksonville State
0
0
0
1
2
0
0
2
0
3
8
7
2
Liberty Scores 3 in 9th to Tie, 4 in 10th to Defeat Jax State 9-8
3/29/2025 12:44:00 AM | Baseball
JACKSONVILLE, ALA. – After tying the game with three two-out runs in the ninth, the Liberty Flames plated four runs in the top of the 10th and then held off a rally by the Jacksonville State Gamecocks for a 9-8 victory Friday evening in the CUSA series opener at Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium.
Down to their last strike in the top of the ninth, the Flames struck for three runs with two outs, taking advantage of an error on a ground ball by center fielder Michael Robertson with two out that would have ended the game. Second baseman Cal Early, who scored three times in the game, followed with an opposite-field double, scoring two runs to cut Liberty's deficit to 5-4. Shortstop Tanner Marsh then tied by ripping a line drive into right field to tie the game at 5-5.
In the 10th, Liberty erupted for four runs. Catcher Seth Christmas lined an RBI single to center to give the Flames their first lead of the contest, and three batters later, Marsh singled with the bases loaded for a 7-5 advantage. First baseman Jaxon Sorenson capped the inning with a two-run single to push Liberty's lead to 9-5.
Jacksonville rallied in the bottom of the 10th inning, scoring three runs. However, with the tying run on third base with two out, Liberty left-hander Josh Swink struck out Gamecock designated hitter Carson Hornung to close out the victory.
Marsh led the Flames with two hits and two RBI in the game. Liberty designated hitter Bryce Lane also had two hits, one a double, and scored a run.
The Flames even their record to 2-2 in CUSA and 19-8 overall. The Gamecocks drop to 1-3 in CUSA and 16-10 overall.
Box Score Highlights
Records: Liberty (19-8, 2-2 CUSA); Jacksonville State (16-10, 1-3 CUSA)
Location: Jacksonville, Ala. (Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium)
WP: Garrett McLaughlin (3-0) | LP: Owen Arndt (1-2) | SV: Josh Swink (1)
Scoring Summary
1st – LIBERTY – Scilley singles, Barone and Early score, 2-0
4th – JSU – Williamson doubles, Blauser scores, 2-1
5th – JSU – Silas singles on a bunt, Hornung scores on a throwing error, 2-2
5th – JSU – Blauser flies out, Hegwood scores, 3-2
8th – JSU – Thomas reaches on a throwing error, Blauser scores, 4-2
8th – JSU – Collins steals second base, Thomas scores on throwing error, 5-2
9th – LIBERTY – Early doubles, Robertson and Lane score, 5-4
9th – LIBERTY – Marsh singles, Early scores, 5-5
10th – LIBERTY – Christmas singles, Swofford scores, 6-5
10th – LIBERTY – Marsh singles, Christmas scores, 7-5
10th – LIBERTY – Sorenson singles, Early and Robertson score, 9-5
10th – JSU – Ashe walks, Silas scores, 9-6
10th – JSU – Johnson singles, Thomas and Blauser score, 9-8
Notable Numbers
- Liberty held a 9-7 advantage over Jax State in hits. The Flames committed three errors, while the Gamecocks made two.
- Liberty left 11 men on base. Jax State left nine men on base.
- The Flames had two hits and scored two runs in the first inning and then did not record a hit until the ninth inning.
- Liberty starting pitcher Dylan Mathiesen gave up three runs, two earned, on four hits over four innings, leaving with two men on and no one out in the fifth inning. He struck out five and walked four.
- Reliever Garrett McLauglin, the fourth Flames pitcher in the contest, picks up the win. The senior gave up one run on no hits over 1/3 inning, leaving with two men on and one out.
- Swink earns the first save of his collegiate career. The sophomore pitched 2/3 of an inning, yielding one hit. He struck out one.
- Reliever Owen Arndt takes the loss for the Gamecocks. The fourth of five Jax State pitchers in the contest, he allowed three runs on two hits over 2/3 of an inning.
- Left fielder Grayson Ashe had two hits and an RBI for the Gamecocks.
Beyond the Box Score
- Liberty becomes the first school from the Commonwealth of Virginia to visit Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium with the teams' meeting tonight.
- Liberty has won twice when trailing after the eighth inning. The Flames came from behind to win 9-8 at NC State in the ninth inning on Feb. 18. In addition, Liberty has come back to win four times when trailing after seven innings this season.
- The loss was only Jacksonville State's fifth at home this season. The Gamecocks are 13-5 at Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium in 2025.
- The Flames entered the game with the fewest errors in CUSA with 17. Tonight's game was the first time since March 11 at Clemson that the Flames have committed three errors in a game.
- Mathiesen struck out five batters in the contest to up his Liberty and CUSA-leading strikeout total to 57. The right-hander also leads the conference with 37 innings pitched.
- Early extends his on-base streak to a team-high 17 consecutive games. The infielder has a .500 on-base percentage and is tied for fourth in Conference USA.
- With a single in the first inning, Barone has at least one hit in eight consecutive games. He ties Sorenson for the longest hitting streak by a Flame this season.
Up Next
Liberty and Jacksonville State will meet again tomorrow in the middle game of the three-game CUSA series. The first pitch at Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium is scheduled for 7 p.m. Eastern Time/6 p.m. Central Time.
Down to their last strike in the top of the ninth, the Flames struck for three runs with two outs, taking advantage of an error on a ground ball by center fielder Michael Robertson with two out that would have ended the game. Second baseman Cal Early, who scored three times in the game, followed with an opposite-field double, scoring two runs to cut Liberty's deficit to 5-4. Shortstop Tanner Marsh then tied by ripping a line drive into right field to tie the game at 5-5.
In the 10th, Liberty erupted for four runs. Catcher Seth Christmas lined an RBI single to center to give the Flames their first lead of the contest, and three batters later, Marsh singled with the bases loaded for a 7-5 advantage. First baseman Jaxon Sorenson capped the inning with a two-run single to push Liberty's lead to 9-5.
Jacksonville rallied in the bottom of the 10th inning, scoring three runs. However, with the tying run on third base with two out, Liberty left-hander Josh Swink struck out Gamecock designated hitter Carson Hornung to close out the victory.
Marsh led the Flames with two hits and two RBI in the game. Liberty designated hitter Bryce Lane also had two hits, one a double, and scored a run.
The Flames even their record to 2-2 in CUSA and 19-8 overall. The Gamecocks drop to 1-3 in CUSA and 16-10 overall.
Box Score Highlights
Records: Liberty (19-8, 2-2 CUSA); Jacksonville State (16-10, 1-3 CUSA)
Location: Jacksonville, Ala. (Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium)
WP: Garrett McLaughlin (3-0) | LP: Owen Arndt (1-2) | SV: Josh Swink (1)
Scoring Summary
1st – LIBERTY – Scilley singles, Barone and Early score, 2-0
4th – JSU – Williamson doubles, Blauser scores, 2-1
5th – JSU – Silas singles on a bunt, Hornung scores on a throwing error, 2-2
5th – JSU – Blauser flies out, Hegwood scores, 3-2
8th – JSU – Thomas reaches on a throwing error, Blauser scores, 4-2
8th – JSU – Collins steals second base, Thomas scores on throwing error, 5-2
9th – LIBERTY – Early doubles, Robertson and Lane score, 5-4
9th – LIBERTY – Marsh singles, Early scores, 5-5
10th – LIBERTY – Christmas singles, Swofford scores, 6-5
10th – LIBERTY – Marsh singles, Christmas scores, 7-5
10th – LIBERTY – Sorenson singles, Early and Robertson score, 9-5
10th – JSU – Ashe walks, Silas scores, 9-6
10th – JSU – Johnson singles, Thomas and Blauser score, 9-8
Notable Numbers
- Liberty held a 9-7 advantage over Jax State in hits. The Flames committed three errors, while the Gamecocks made two.
- Liberty left 11 men on base. Jax State left nine men on base.
- The Flames had two hits and scored two runs in the first inning and then did not record a hit until the ninth inning.
- Liberty starting pitcher Dylan Mathiesen gave up three runs, two earned, on four hits over four innings, leaving with two men on and no one out in the fifth inning. He struck out five and walked four.
- Reliever Garrett McLauglin, the fourth Flames pitcher in the contest, picks up the win. The senior gave up one run on no hits over 1/3 inning, leaving with two men on and one out.
- Swink earns the first save of his collegiate career. The sophomore pitched 2/3 of an inning, yielding one hit. He struck out one.
- Reliever Owen Arndt takes the loss for the Gamecocks. The fourth of five Jax State pitchers in the contest, he allowed three runs on two hits over 2/3 of an inning.
- Left fielder Grayson Ashe had two hits and an RBI for the Gamecocks.
Beyond the Box Score
- Liberty becomes the first school from the Commonwealth of Virginia to visit Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium with the teams' meeting tonight.
- Liberty has won twice when trailing after the eighth inning. The Flames came from behind to win 9-8 at NC State in the ninth inning on Feb. 18. In addition, Liberty has come back to win four times when trailing after seven innings this season.
- The loss was only Jacksonville State's fifth at home this season. The Gamecocks are 13-5 at Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium in 2025.
- The Flames entered the game with the fewest errors in CUSA with 17. Tonight's game was the first time since March 11 at Clemson that the Flames have committed three errors in a game.
- Mathiesen struck out five batters in the contest to up his Liberty and CUSA-leading strikeout total to 57. The right-hander also leads the conference with 37 innings pitched.
- Early extends his on-base streak to a team-high 17 consecutive games. The infielder has a .500 on-base percentage and is tied for fourth in Conference USA.
- With a single in the first inning, Barone has at least one hit in eight consecutive games. He ties Sorenson for the longest hitting streak by a Flame this season.
Up Next
Liberty and Jacksonville State will meet again tomorrow in the middle game of the three-game CUSA series. The first pitch at Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium is scheduled for 7 p.m. Eastern Time/6 p.m. Central Time.
T9: We're all tied! ???????????? ?????????? with a two-out rope to plate Early to knot the game! pic.twitter.com/iVi57lnMWS
— Liberty Baseball (@LibertyBaseball) March 29, 2025
T10: Flames are in front! ???????? ?????????????????? ?? with the RBI single! pic.twitter.com/yhcaFWpshz
— Liberty Baseball (@LibertyBaseball) March 29, 2025
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: McCusker, Josh (2-0)
L: Owen Arndt (1-2)
S: Swink, Josh (1)
Batting:
2B: Early, Callum 1 ; Lane, Bryce 1
RBI: Early, Callum 1 ; Marsh, Tanner 2 ; Sorenson, Jaxon 2 ; Scilley, Landon 2 ; Christmas, Seth 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Early, Callum 3 ; Barone, Nick 1 ; Lane, Bryce 1 ; Swofford, Easton 1 ; Christmas, Seth 1 ; Robertson, Michael 2
SB: Marsh, Tanner 1 ; Sorenson, Jaxon 1
CS: Early, Callum 1
HBP: Fulk, Anderson 1 ; Troyer, Camden 1 ; Lane, Bryce 1
Batting:
2B: Ace Williamson 1
RBI: Caleb Johnson 2 ; Cooper Blauser 1 ; Grayson Ashe 1 ; Ace Williamson 1
SH: Brady Thomas 1
SF: Cooper Blauser 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Carson Hornung 1 ; Colton Hegwood 1 ; Sam Silas 1 ; Cooper Blauser 3 ; Brady Thomas 2
SB: Caleb Johnson 1 ; Cooper Blauser 1 ; Drew Collins 1
HBP: Carson Hornung 1 ; Cooper Blauser 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
5
R
0
H
2
RBI
2
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
3
R
3
H
1
RBI
1
AB
5
R
0
H
1
RBI
2
Players Mentioned
C
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RHP
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RHP
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OF
/ Baseball
LHP
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