Friday, April 18
Ruston, La.
5:00 PM ET/4:00 PM CT
Liberty University
24-15, 6-8
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Louisiana Tech
24-15, 9-4
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LIBERTY
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Louisiana Tech
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Liberty Holds Off LA Tech 5-3 Friday
4/18/2025 10:10:00 PM | Baseball
RUSTON, LA. - The Liberty Flames scored three in the seventh and then withstood a ninth-inning rally to slip past the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 5-3 Friday afternoon at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Stadium.
After the Flames saw the host Bulldogs score two runs in the sixth to tie the game at two, Liberty batted around, scoring three runs without a hit, benefiting from four walks, a hit batter and a Bulldog error to take a 5-2 lead.
In the bottom of the ninth, Louisiana Tech pushed across a run to cut the Flames' advantage to 5-3 and loaded the bases with two out. Liberty summoned right-hander Joseph Webb from the bullpen, and he proceeded to get Bulldog third baseman Cody Coates to pop out to shortstop to end the scoring threat and seal the victory.
Pitchers Jake Potts and Josh Swink keyed the Liberty win. The two combined to allow three runs on eight hits. Potts gave up just one hit and did not allow a run through the first five innings.
Flames shortstop Tanner Marsh had two hits, walked and scored a run in the game.
Liberty evens the three-game series at one game apiece. The Flames move to 6-8 in CUSA and 24-15 overall. Louisiana Tech drops to 9-4 in conference and 24-15 overall.
Box Score Highlights
Records: Liberty (24-15, 6-8 CUSA); Louisiana Tech (24-15, 9-4 CUSA)
Location: Ruston, La. (J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park)
WP: Josh Swink (4-2) | LP: Landon Fontenot (1-2) | SV: Joseph Webb (2)
Scoring Summary
2nd – LIBERTY – Moore reaches on throwing error, Gibson and Scilley score, 2-0
6th – LA TECH – Mexico flies out, Stafford scores, 2-1
6th – LA TECH – Hawey singles, Coates scores, 2-2
7th – LIBERTY – Barone reaches on throwing error on a sacrifice bunt, Marsh scores, 3-2
7th – LIBERTY – Gibson walks, Sorenson scores, 4-2
7th – LIBERTY – Moore walks, Barone scores, 5-2
9th – LA TECH – E. Bersch doubles, Hawsey scores, 5-3
Notable Numbers
- Despite being held to one hit through the first five innings, Louisiana Tech out-hit Liberty, 8-6, in the contest.
- The Bulldogs made two costly errors, leading to Flames runs. Liberty made one error.
- Liberty left 11 men on base. LA Tech left seven.
- The Flames drew seven bases on balls, including four in the seventh.
- Liberty was 0-for-12 with runners in scoring position.
- Flames designated hitter Michael Gibson reached base four out of his five plate appearances in the game. He walked three times and singled. He had an RBI and scored a run.
- Swink runs his record to 4-2 on the season. The left-hander gave up one run on four hits over 3 2/3 innings. He struck out one and walked two. He pitched a scoreless seventh and eighth innings, and at one point during his outing, retired six Bulldogs in a row.
- Webb picks up his second save of the year.
- Flames starting pitcher Potts pitched a career-high five innings, leaving with the bases loaded in the sixth. He gave up two runs on four hits. The right-hander struck out three and walked one.
- Louisiana Tech reliever Landon Fontenot takes the loss. He gave up two runs on two hits over two innings. He struck out two and walked three.
- First baseman Trey Hawsey had two hits, an RBI, and scored a run for the Bulldogs.
Beyond the Box Score
- Liberty evens its three-game series with Louisiana Tech at 1-1.
- Potts went five innings today. It was the longest outing of the season. The converted reliever had never gone more than four innings before today.
- Marsh, who leads the Flames with 48 hits, records his team-leading 14th multi-hit game with two hits. He extends his reach base streak to 22 consecutive games. The shortstop pushed his batting average to .300 for the first time this season.
Up Next
The Flames and Bulldogs will conclude their three-game CUSA series tomorrow afternoon at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Field. Game time is slated for 2 p.m. EST/1 p.m. CST.
After the Flames saw the host Bulldogs score two runs in the sixth to tie the game at two, Liberty batted around, scoring three runs without a hit, benefiting from four walks, a hit batter and a Bulldog error to take a 5-2 lead.
In the bottom of the ninth, Louisiana Tech pushed across a run to cut the Flames' advantage to 5-3 and loaded the bases with two out. Liberty summoned right-hander Joseph Webb from the bullpen, and he proceeded to get Bulldog third baseman Cody Coates to pop out to shortstop to end the scoring threat and seal the victory.
Pitchers Jake Potts and Josh Swink keyed the Liberty win. The two combined to allow three runs on eight hits. Potts gave up just one hit and did not allow a run through the first five innings.
Flames shortstop Tanner Marsh had two hits, walked and scored a run in the game.
Liberty evens the three-game series at one game apiece. The Flames move to 6-8 in CUSA and 24-15 overall. Louisiana Tech drops to 9-4 in conference and 24-15 overall.
Box Score Highlights
Records: Liberty (24-15, 6-8 CUSA); Louisiana Tech (24-15, 9-4 CUSA)
Location: Ruston, La. (J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park)
WP: Josh Swink (4-2) | LP: Landon Fontenot (1-2) | SV: Joseph Webb (2)
Scoring Summary
2nd – LIBERTY – Moore reaches on throwing error, Gibson and Scilley score, 2-0
6th – LA TECH – Mexico flies out, Stafford scores, 2-1
6th – LA TECH – Hawey singles, Coates scores, 2-2
7th – LIBERTY – Barone reaches on throwing error on a sacrifice bunt, Marsh scores, 3-2
7th – LIBERTY – Gibson walks, Sorenson scores, 4-2
7th – LIBERTY – Moore walks, Barone scores, 5-2
9th – LA TECH – E. Bersch doubles, Hawsey scores, 5-3
Notable Numbers
- Despite being held to one hit through the first five innings, Louisiana Tech out-hit Liberty, 8-6, in the contest.
- The Bulldogs made two costly errors, leading to Flames runs. Liberty made one error.
- Liberty left 11 men on base. LA Tech left seven.
- The Flames drew seven bases on balls, including four in the seventh.
- Liberty was 0-for-12 with runners in scoring position.
- Flames designated hitter Michael Gibson reached base four out of his five plate appearances in the game. He walked three times and singled. He had an RBI and scored a run.
- Swink runs his record to 4-2 on the season. The left-hander gave up one run on four hits over 3 2/3 innings. He struck out one and walked two. He pitched a scoreless seventh and eighth innings, and at one point during his outing, retired six Bulldogs in a row.
- Webb picks up his second save of the year.
- Flames starting pitcher Potts pitched a career-high five innings, leaving with the bases loaded in the sixth. He gave up two runs on four hits. The right-hander struck out three and walked one.
- Louisiana Tech reliever Landon Fontenot takes the loss. He gave up two runs on two hits over two innings. He struck out two and walked three.
- First baseman Trey Hawsey had two hits, an RBI, and scored a run for the Bulldogs.
Beyond the Box Score
- Liberty evens its three-game series with Louisiana Tech at 1-1.
- Potts went five innings today. It was the longest outing of the season. The converted reliever had never gone more than four innings before today.
- Marsh, who leads the Flames with 48 hits, records his team-leading 14th multi-hit game with two hits. He extends his reach base streak to 22 consecutive games. The shortstop pushed his batting average to .300 for the first time this season.
Up Next
The Flames and Bulldogs will conclude their three-game CUSA series tomorrow afternoon at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Field. Game time is slated for 2 p.m. EST/1 p.m. CST.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Swink, Josh (4-2)
L: Fontenot,L (1-2)
S: Webb, Joseph (2)
Batting:
2B: Marsh, Tanner 1
RBI: Gibson, Michael 1 ; Moore, Tucker 1
SH: Barone, Nick 1 ; Robertson, Michael 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Marsh, Tanner 1 ; Sorenson, Jaxon 1 ; Barone, Nick 1 ; Scilley, Landon 1 ; Gibson, Michael 1
SB: Troyer, Camden 1 ; Scilley, Landon 1 ; Gibson, Michael 1
HBP: Sorenson, Jaxon 1 ; Barone, Nick 1
Batting:
2B: Hawsey,T 1 ; Berch,E 1
RBI: Mexico,S 1 ; Hawsey,T 1 ; Berch,E 1
SF: Mexico,S 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Coates,C 1 ; Hawsey,T 1 ; Safford,W 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
4
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1
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2
RBI
0
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4
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0
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1
RBI
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5
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RBI
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RBI
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Players Mentioned
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RHP
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LHP
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RHP
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