Thursday, April 2
Bowling Green, Ky.
7:00 PM ET/6:00 PM CT
Liberty University
8
at
3
Western Kentucky
Liberty Sails Past WKU 8-3 in Series Opener
4/3/2026 12:16:00 AM | Baseball
BOWLING GREEN, KY. – Shortstop Tanner Marsh collected three hits and left fielder Nick Barone hit a two-run home run, highlighting the Liberty Flames' 8-3 victory over the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in the opener of a CUSA series at Nick Denes Field Thursday evening.
Marsh went 3-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored. One of his hits was a double.
Meanwhile, Barone ambushed the first pitch of his at bat in the seventh inning, blasting a two-run homer over the left field wall to push Liberty's lead to 6-3.
Flames reliever Jake Potts entered the game with the bases loaded and one out in the fourth inning and proceeded to get a double play to end the inning. The right-hander went on to retire all seven batters he faced over 2 2/3 innings, restoring order.
With the victory, the Flames have won five straight games. Liberty ups its record to 7-3 in CUSA and 20-9 overall. Western Kentucky falls to 4-6 in CUSA and 16-14 overall.
Box Score Highlights
Records: Liberty (20-9, 7-3 CUSA); WKU (16-14, 4-6)
Location: Nick Denes Field
WP: Jake Potts (2-1) | LP: Zach Serup (0-3) | SV: Connor Harrington (4)
Scoring Summary
5th – LIBERTY – Marsh doubles, Hvidsten and Swofford scores, 2-0
5th – LIBERTY – Drumm reaches on a throwing error, Campos scores, 3-0
5th – LIBERTY – Jaffe grounds into a double play, Marsh scores, 4-0
7th – WKU – Acosta grounds into a fielder's choice, Howard scored, 4-1
7th – WKU – Ross singles, Acosta and Stewart scored, 4-3
8th – LIBERTY – Barone homers, Jaffe scores, 6-3
9th – LIBERTY – Fulk doubles, Marsh scores, 7-3
9th – LIBERTY – Sorenson doubles, Jaffe scores, 8-3
Notable Numbers
- Liberty held a 11-8 advantage over WKU in hits. The Flames made one error. The Hilltoppers committed three errors.
- Liberty left six men on base. WKU left 10 men.
- Six of the Flames' 12 hits were for extra bases (six doubles, a home run).
- Second baseman Easton Swofford collected two hits and scored a run for Liberty.
- Potts picks up the win. The right-hander did not allow a run or a hit over 2 2/3 innings. He struck out one and did not walk a batter.
- Connor Harrington, the last of four Liberty pitchers in the contest, records a save. The reliever pitched two scoreless innings. He struck out two and did not walk a batter.
- WKU starting pitcher Zach Serup takes the loss. He gave up one run on three hits over four innings. He struck out four and walked one.
- Catcher Camden Ross had two hits and two RBI for the Hilltoppers.
Beyond the Box Score
- Liberty defeats Western Kentucky for the first time in program history. The Hilltoppers had beaten the Flames in their first six meetings.
- With the win, Liberty moves to 8-3 on the road in 2026.
- Marsh posts his second three-hit game and his team-leading 11th multi-hit contest of 2026.
- Potts has not allowed a run in his last four appearances. He has pitched 9 2/3 scoreless innings over the span.
- Swofford records his third multi-hit game with two hits.
- With a single and a walk, Liberty right fielder Riley DeCandido has reached base safely in 18 consecutive games, tying Marsh for the longest streak this season.
Up Next
Liberty and Western Kentucky will meet in the middle game of their three-game CUSA series at Nick Denes Field tomorrow. The first pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. EST/4 p.m. CST.
Marsh went 3-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored. One of his hits was a double.
Meanwhile, Barone ambushed the first pitch of his at bat in the seventh inning, blasting a two-run homer over the left field wall to push Liberty's lead to 6-3.
Flames reliever Jake Potts entered the game with the bases loaded and one out in the fourth inning and proceeded to get a double play to end the inning. The right-hander went on to retire all seven batters he faced over 2 2/3 innings, restoring order.
With the victory, the Flames have won five straight games. Liberty ups its record to 7-3 in CUSA and 20-9 overall. Western Kentucky falls to 4-6 in CUSA and 16-14 overall.
Box Score Highlights
Records: Liberty (20-9, 7-3 CUSA); WKU (16-14, 4-6)
Location: Nick Denes Field
WP: Jake Potts (2-1) | LP: Zach Serup (0-3) | SV: Connor Harrington (4)
Scoring Summary
5th – LIBERTY – Marsh doubles, Hvidsten and Swofford scores, 2-0
5th – LIBERTY – Drumm reaches on a throwing error, Campos scores, 3-0
5th – LIBERTY – Jaffe grounds into a double play, Marsh scores, 4-0
7th – WKU – Acosta grounds into a fielder's choice, Howard scored, 4-1
7th – WKU – Ross singles, Acosta and Stewart scored, 4-3
8th – LIBERTY – Barone homers, Jaffe scores, 6-3
9th – LIBERTY – Fulk doubles, Marsh scores, 7-3
9th – LIBERTY – Sorenson doubles, Jaffe scores, 8-3
Notable Numbers
- Liberty held a 11-8 advantage over WKU in hits. The Flames made one error. The Hilltoppers committed three errors.
- Liberty left six men on base. WKU left 10 men.
- Six of the Flames' 12 hits were for extra bases (six doubles, a home run).
- Second baseman Easton Swofford collected two hits and scored a run for Liberty.
- Potts picks up the win. The right-hander did not allow a run or a hit over 2 2/3 innings. He struck out one and did not walk a batter.
- Connor Harrington, the last of four Liberty pitchers in the contest, records a save. The reliever pitched two scoreless innings. He struck out two and did not walk a batter.
- WKU starting pitcher Zach Serup takes the loss. He gave up one run on three hits over four innings. He struck out four and walked one.
- Catcher Camden Ross had two hits and two RBI for the Hilltoppers.
Beyond the Box Score
- Liberty defeats Western Kentucky for the first time in program history. The Hilltoppers had beaten the Flames in their first six meetings.
- With the win, Liberty moves to 8-3 on the road in 2026.
- Marsh posts his second three-hit game and his team-leading 11th multi-hit contest of 2026.
- Potts has not allowed a run in his last four appearances. He has pitched 9 2/3 scoreless innings over the span.
- Swofford records his third multi-hit game with two hits.
- With a single and a walk, Liberty right fielder Riley DeCandido has reached base safely in 18 consecutive games, tying Marsh for the longest streak this season.
Up Next
Liberty and Western Kentucky will meet in the middle game of their three-game CUSA series at Nick Denes Field tomorrow. The first pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. EST/4 p.m. CST.
Players Mentioned
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