No. 5 seed Liberty’s Ashton Perritt came up big with a game-winning RBI single in the top of the ninth to lead the Flames to a 2-1 win over No. 1 seed Campbell to win the 2013 Big South Baseball Championship presented by Triangle Rent A Car, Saturday afternoon at the Liberty Baseball Stadium.
The Flames win marks the first time the host team has won the Championship since 1992 and is just the fourth time overall. The Championship is the Flames’ fourth Championship in school history and the first tournament title since 2000. Liberty and the 1990 Campbell Camels squad are the only No. 5 seeds in tournament history to claim the crown.
Liberty notched one run in the top of the ninth to pick up the 2-1 win. Alex Close reached on a throwing error by Campbell shortstop Graham and moved up to second on the play. Sammy Taormina was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second. Perritt followed with an RBI single to plate Close.
Campbell got on the board first as it plated one runner in the bottom of the first inning to take the 1-0 lead. With one away, Brent Graham reached on an error and Michael Felton moved Graham up on a single to left center. David Olson followed with a single to load the bases. Elijah Trail plated Graham as he reached on a fielder’s choice.
Liberty tied the game at 1-1 in the top half of the third as Dalton Britt connected on his second home run of the year, a lined shot to right field.
Josh Richardson earned the win for Liberty with eight innings pitched. He improved to 3-4 on the season and held the Camels to just one run on five hits. Perritt picked up the save with a pair of strikeouts in the ninth. Ryan Thompson took the loss for Campbell and falls to 9-1 on the year.
Wimmer finished the game with two hits, while teammate Bryan Aanderud also notched a pair of hits. Nick Ray was Campbell’s top hitter with two hits.
With the win, Liberty improves to 34-27, while Campbell ends their tournament run at 49-10.
The Flames receive the Big South’s automatic bid to the NCAA Baseball Championship and will find out which regional they will play in on the NCAA Baseball Championship Selection Show at noon on Monday, May 27 on ESPNU.
All-Tournament Team
INF – Michael Felton, Campbell
INF – Dalton Britt, Liberty
INF – Jake Kimble, Liberty
INF – Matt Dickason, Longwood
OF – Alex Buccilli, Coastal Carolina
OF – Colton Konvicka, Longwood
OF – Justin Sizemore, Liberty
C – Trey Wimmer, Liberty
P – Ryan Thompson, Campbell
P – Blake Fulghum, Liberty
DH – Ted Blackman, Coastal Carolina
UTL – Ashton Perritt, Liberty
MVP – Ashton Perritt, Liberty
Quotes
Liberty Head Coach Jim Toman “First, Glory to God. All our efforts are for him and I am extremely happy for the team. Campbell is a great team and I would like to congratulate them. We did not get down after Tuesday’s loss and we gutted it out. This Championship is long overdue for a great group of players.”
Campbell Head Coach Greg Goff
“Congratulations to Coach Toman and Liberty. They made a great run to the championship after losing their first game on Tuesday. I can’t say enough how proud I am of my guys and the heart and fight they showed all week.”
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