Friday, May 9
Miami, Fla.
6:30 PM
Liberty University
28-23, 8-14
4
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2
FIU
26-24, 9-12
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4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
LIBERTY
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
2
0
4
8
0
FIU Panthers
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
2
6
1
8th Inning Home Runs Push Liberty Past FIU 4-2
5/9/2025 11:39:00 PM | Baseball
MIAMI, FLA. – Left fielder Nick Barone and first baseman Jaxon Sorenson broke a 2-2 tie with back-to-back home runs in the eighth inning, and right-hander Ben Blair pitched 7 1/3 innings as the Liberty Flames slipped past the FIU Panthers 4-2 Friday evening at FIU Baseball Stadium.
With the score tied and two out, Barone ripped his ninth home run over the left field wall to break the tie. Sorenson followed with his 13th home run of the year over the left field wall to make it 4-2 Flames.
Blair allowed two runs on five hits over a career-high 7 1/3 innings. He struck out 10 Panthers and walked one. The right-hander matched FIU starting pitcher Easton Marks, who left after seven innings with the score tied at 2-2.
In the bottom of the ninth, the host Panthers got the first two batters of the inning on base. After a bunt moved the tying runs into scoring position with one out, Liberty went to the bullpen and summoned Josh Swink. The left-hander entered the game and proceeded to retire the next two batters to seal the win.
Sorensen had two hits and two RBI in the game. Barone added two hits and an RBI. Each one scored a run in the contest.
Liberty moves 28-22 overall and 8-14 in CUSA. FIU drops to 26-24 overall and 9-12 in CUSA.
Box Score Highlights
Records: Liberty (28-22, 8-14 CUSA); FIU (26-24, 9-12)
Location: Miami, Fla. (FIU Baseball Stadium
WP: Ben Blair (6-3) | LP: Juan Villarreal (6-4) | SV: Josh Swink (3)
Scoring Summary
3rd – FIU – Dearing homers, 1-0
4th – LIBERTY – Sorenson singles, Marsh scores, 1-1
4th – LIBERTY – Swofford grounds out, Sorenson scores, 2-1
5th – FIU – West homers, 2-2
8th – LIBERTY – Barone homers, 3-2
8th – LIBERTY – Sorenson homers, 4-2
Notable Numbers
- Liberty outhit FIU, 8-6, in the game. The Panthers committed the game's only error.
- The Flames left six men on base. The Panthers left seven.
- Liberty shortstop Tanner Marsh had two hits, including a double, and scored a run.
- Swink records his third save of the season.
- FIU reliever Juan Villarreal takes the loss. He gave up two runs on two hits. He struck out two and walked one.
- First baseman Brylan West hit his 10th home run of the year and right fielder Austin Dearing hit his fourth home run of the year for FIU.
Beyond the Box Score
- Liberty takes the opener of the three-game series.
- Blair eclipsed his career-high by pitching 7 1/3 innings in the contest. His previous career-high was seven innings, which he did twice his season. Blair leads CUSA in innings pitched with 73 2/3 innings. He also leads the conference with 86 strikeouts.
- Sorenson leads Liberty with 13 home runs and is sixth in the conference. The corner infielder leads the Flames and is seventh in the conference with 47 RBI.
- Barone recorded his 16th multi-hit game. He is seventh in CUSA with 46 RBI.
- Marsh collected his team-leading 19th multi-hit game this evening. The shortstop scored his 48th run of the season and is currently sixth in CUSA in runs scored.
- Liberty did not commit an error this season. The Flames have not made an error in 30 games this season.
Up Next
Liberty and FIU will meet again tomorrow in the middle game of their three-game series. Game time at FIU Baseball Stadium is scheduled for 5 p.m.
With the score tied and two out, Barone ripped his ninth home run over the left field wall to break the tie. Sorenson followed with his 13th home run of the year over the left field wall to make it 4-2 Flames.
Blair allowed two runs on five hits over a career-high 7 1/3 innings. He struck out 10 Panthers and walked one. The right-hander matched FIU starting pitcher Easton Marks, who left after seven innings with the score tied at 2-2.
In the bottom of the ninth, the host Panthers got the first two batters of the inning on base. After a bunt moved the tying runs into scoring position with one out, Liberty went to the bullpen and summoned Josh Swink. The left-hander entered the game and proceeded to retire the next two batters to seal the win.
Sorensen had two hits and two RBI in the game. Barone added two hits and an RBI. Each one scored a run in the contest.
Liberty moves 28-22 overall and 8-14 in CUSA. FIU drops to 26-24 overall and 9-12 in CUSA.
Box Score Highlights
Records: Liberty (28-22, 8-14 CUSA); FIU (26-24, 9-12)
Location: Miami, Fla. (FIU Baseball Stadium
WP: Ben Blair (6-3) | LP: Juan Villarreal (6-4) | SV: Josh Swink (3)
Scoring Summary
3rd – FIU – Dearing homers, 1-0
4th – LIBERTY – Sorenson singles, Marsh scores, 1-1
4th – LIBERTY – Swofford grounds out, Sorenson scores, 2-1
5th – FIU – West homers, 2-2
8th – LIBERTY – Barone homers, 3-2
8th – LIBERTY – Sorenson homers, 4-2
Notable Numbers
- Liberty outhit FIU, 8-6, in the game. The Panthers committed the game's only error.
- The Flames left six men on base. The Panthers left seven.
- Liberty shortstop Tanner Marsh had two hits, including a double, and scored a run.
- Swink records his third save of the season.
- FIU reliever Juan Villarreal takes the loss. He gave up two runs on two hits. He struck out two and walked one.
- First baseman Brylan West hit his 10th home run of the year and right fielder Austin Dearing hit his fourth home run of the year for FIU.
Beyond the Box Score
- Liberty takes the opener of the three-game series.
- Blair eclipsed his career-high by pitching 7 1/3 innings in the contest. His previous career-high was seven innings, which he did twice his season. Blair leads CUSA in innings pitched with 73 2/3 innings. He also leads the conference with 86 strikeouts.
- Sorenson leads Liberty with 13 home runs and is sixth in the conference. The corner infielder leads the Flames and is seventh in the conference with 47 RBI.
- Barone recorded his 16th multi-hit game. He is seventh in CUSA with 46 RBI.
- Marsh collected his team-leading 19th multi-hit game this evening. The shortstop scored his 48th run of the season and is currently sixth in CUSA in runs scored.
- Liberty did not commit an error this season. The Flames have not made an error in 30 games this season.
Up Next
Liberty and FIU will meet again tomorrow in the middle game of their three-game series. Game time at FIU Baseball Stadium is scheduled for 5 p.m.
T8: A little 2-out magic! ?? Nick Barone with a tie-breaking bomb!?? Flames lead! pic.twitter.com/nDP93bsS9q
— Liberty Baseball (@LibertyBaseball) May 10, 2025
T8: BACK-TO-BACK JACKS! Jaxon Sorenson follows Barone with his 13th home run of the year. Liberty up by 2! pic.twitter.com/GEBSf8Y4sj
— Liberty Baseball (@LibertyBaseball) May 10, 2025
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Blair, Ben (6-3)
L: Juan VILLARREAL (6-4)
S: Swink, Josh (3)
Batting:
2B: Marsh, Tanner 1
HR: Barone, Nick 1 ; Sorenson, Jaxon 1
RBI: Barone, Nick 1 ; Sorenson, Jaxon 2 ; Swofford, Easton 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Marsh, Tanner 1 ; Troyer, Camden 1 ; Barone, Nick 1 ; Sorenson, Jaxon 1
CS: Scilley, Landon 1
Batting:
HR: Brylan WEST 1 ; Austin DEARING 1
RBI: Brylan WEST 1 ; Austin DEARING 1
SH: Brendan RONEY 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Brylan WEST 1 ; Austin DEARING 1
SB: Cole CLEVELAND 1
HBP: Kishon FRETT 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
4
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
4
R
1
H
2
RBI
1
AB
4
R
1
H
2
RBI
2
AB
5
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
OF
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
LHP
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