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Liberty sweeps doubleheader from Charleston Southern

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liberty baseballLeft fielder Tre Todd went 4-fo-4 with two home runs and center fielder D.J. Artis added three hits and scored twice, as the Liberty Flames ripped the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, 8-4, in game 1 of a Big South doubleheader on Saturday at Liberty Baseball Stadium.

Todd belted home runs six and seven of the season in stockpiling his first four-hit game of his Liberty career. Meanwhile, Artis had three hits and scored twice for the Flames, while Jonathan Embry also hit his third home run of the year in the contest.

Liberty moves to 9-5 in the Big South and 21-12 overall. The Flames tie a season-high with four straight wins. Charleston Southern falls to 3-11 in conference and 11-26 overall.

The Buccaneers jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, only to see the Flames answer with three runs in the bottom of the game’s opening inning. With one out, Charleston Southern center fielder Josh Litchfield reached on an infield single and advanced to second on a single by second baseman Mike Sconzo. Two batters later, catcher Christian Maggio drew a two-out walk to load the bases for left fielder Derek Horton, who also drew a base on balls to force in the game’s first run.

In the bottom of the inning, Artis singled to open the frame and advanced to third on two throwing errors by the Buccaneers on a failed pick-off attempt. The next batter, second baseman Trey McDyre, tied the contest at 1-1 with a RBI ground out. Todd followed with a line drive over the left field wall and into the Liberty bullpen, giving Liberty a 2-1 edge.

Two batters later, designated hitter Logan Mathieu singled with two outs and advanced to second when third baseman Tyler Galazin was hit by a pitch. Shortstop Cam Locklear followed with a RBI single, pushing the Flames advantage to 3-1.

Charleston Southern cut the Liberty lead to one in the third. Sconzo, who had four hits in the contest, led off the inning with a double. After tagging an advancing to third on a deep fly out, Sconzo scored on a sacrifice fly by Maggio, trimming the Bucs deficit to one at 3-2.

The Flames extended their lead with runs in the fifth and the sixth. During the fifth, Artis singled to open the inning and later, plated a run on a safety bunt by first baseman Dylan Allen. In the sixth, pinch hitter Embry ripped a 2-2 pitch over the right field wall, upping the Liberty lead to 5-2.

Both teams traded runs in the seventh. Sconzo’s two-out single brought home Litchfield who doubled in the top of the inning. Todd’s second home run of the game over the right field wall made it 6-3 Flames in the bottom of the frame.

Liberty added two insurance runs in the eighth. Galazin doubled to open the inning and later came home on a sacrifice bunt by right fielder Brandon Rohrer. Artis followed with a two-out RBI single for an 8-3 lead.

Charleston Southern plated a run in the ninth for the final ledger of 8-4.

Flames’ Zach Clinton raises his record to 6-2 on the year. The right-hander gave up two runs on four hits over six innings in relief of starter Brady Stamper. He struck out five and walked two.

Buccaneer starter Evan Nations drops to 1-1. The right-hander allowed three runs on five hits, before leaving after 2 2/3 innings. He struck out one and did not walk a batter. Each of Charleston Southern’ s five pitchers in the contest gave up a run.

Liberty had 11 hits and did not commit an error. Charleston Southern amassed nine hits in the contest and made two errors.

Liberty Sweeps 3-Game Series from Charleston Southern with 9-1 Game 2 Win

The Liberty Flames cruised past the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, 9-1, in game two of a Big South doubleheader, sweeping the twin bill and the three-game series between the two teams at Liberty Baseball Stadium, Saturday.

Catcher Tre Todd belted a grand slam, his eighth home run of the season, and center fielder D.J. Artis hit a home run, his third round tripper of the year, to help back right-hander Noah Skirrow, who pitched six scoreless innings, before being lifted. Todd hit two home runs in the Flames’ 8-4 win in game one of the doubleheader.

Winners of a season-high five straight games, Liberty raises its record to 10-5 in Big South play and 22-12 overall. The Flames post their first three-game conference sweep of the season with the victory. Charleston Southern drops to 3-12 in conference and 11-27 overall.

With Skirrow in control on the mound, Liberty built a 9-0 lead over the first six innings of play.

The Flames plated a run in the second and two more in the third for a three-run advantage. With two out in the second, shortstop Cam Locklear drew a base on balls and stole second. Right fielder Brando Rohrer followed with a run-scoring single to left for the first run of the contest.

In the third, Artis opened the home half of the inning with his home run for a 2-0 edge. Later in the frame, designated hitter Logan Mathieu singled home first baseman Dylan Allen who walked with two outs and moved to second on a wild pitch, upping the Liberty lead to 3-0.

Liberty took a commanding lead with six runs in the sixth. The Flames loaded the bases, as Locklear and Rohrer both walked and left fielder Jonathan Embry reached on a bunt. Artis and second baseman Trey McDyre then walked to force in runs for a 5-0 lead. Todd followed with a blast over the right field wall, clearing the bases and giving the Flames a 9-0 advantage.

Charleston Southern first baseman Aaron Miller hit his first home run of the season in the ninth for the final score of 9-1.

Skirrow moves to 3-2 on the year. The freshman scattered three hits over his six innings of work, striking out eight and walking two.

Buccaneer starter Cody Maw drops to 2-1. He gave up three runs on five hits over 4 2/3 innings. He struck out four and walked four.

Liberty had seven hits and committed the contest’s only error. Charleston Southern collected five hits.

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