Liberty left fielder D.J. Artis and designated hitter Nick Walker had three hits each and combined to drive in five runs, powering the Flames to a 10-2 victory over the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, Friday night at Liberty Baseball Stadium.
Artis posted his third three-hit game of the season and set a career-high with three RBI in the Big South Conference contest. He also doubled, scored a run and had a stolen base.
Walker collected his second three-hit game of the season, while adding two RBI and a scored a run.
Flames pitcher Victor Cole worked out of several early inning jams to go seven innings and move to 3-2 on the year. The senior left-hander allowed two runs on nine hits, striking out five and walking two.
Liberty moves to 18-14 overall and 4-3 in conference play. Charleston Southern drops to 12-18 overall and 1-6 in conference.
The first three Buccaneers each reached on a hit to load the bases in the top of the first inning. However, Cole battled back to retire the next three batters, two on strikeouts, to keep the visitors from scoring.
Both teams plated runs in the third inning. Charleston Southern used a one-out RBI single by catcher Mike Sconzo and a two-out single by first baseman Kevin Hickey to take a 2-0 edge in the top of the inning.
In the bottom of the third, Liberty third baseman Eric Grabowski reached on a double and later, scored on a wild pitch to trim the Buccaneers’ advantage to 2-1.
The Flames tied the contest during their next at bat. First baseman Andrew Yacyk reached on a two-base error on a dropped fly ball by Charleston Southern left fielder Chris Singleton. Walker followed with a run-scoring single to tie the contest at 2-2.
Liberty took the lead for good in the fifth. Center fielder Jack Morris walked to open the home half of the inning and scored on a double by Artis. Catcher Payton Scarbrough then advanced Artis to third with a sacrifice bunt. Three batters later, Walker lined a single into center field to plate Artis for a 4-2 advantage.
The Flames added a run in the sixth. Shortstop Dalton Britt singled, leading off the bottom half of the inning and later, stole second with two outs. After Artis walked, Scarbrough dropped a single into center field for 5-2.
In the seventh, Liberty put the contest out of reach, batting around and scoring five runs for the final score of 10-5. The Flames loaded the bases with one out and scored their first run of the inning when Grabowski walked, forcing in a run. Morris followed with a RBI single, upping the Liberty advantage to 7-2.
Artis then ripped a single past the first base bag and down the right field line, plating two more runs for a 9-2 lead. A throwing error by Bucs’ second baseman Ryan Maksim, allowed Morris to come home for the final score of 10-2.
Right-hander Evan Raynor drops to 4-3. The Charleston Southern starter gave up four runs, three earned, on six hits over five innings. He struck out five and walked two.
Liberty outhit Charleston Southern, 11-10. The Buccaneers committed three errors.
Britt had two hits and scored twice for the Flames.
Liberty and Charleston Southern will meet again at Liberty Baseball Stadium, tomorrow. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
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