Right-hander Jack DeGroat pitched six scoreless innings and reliever Shane Quarterley pitched out of two bases-loaded jams, powering the Liberty Flames to a 3-0 victory over the Campbell Fighting Camels, Sunday afternoon at Jim Perry Stadium.
DeGroat did not allow a runner to advance past second base during the first six innings of the Big South contest. The freshman right-hander pitched six scoreless innings, scattering three hits, to even his record at 2-2. He struck out six batters, tying his career high, and walked three.
Meanwhile, Quarterley pitched out of two bases-loaded jams in the seventh and ninth to earn his sixth save of the year. The right-hander gave up two hits and struck out one over the final 2 1/3 innings.
Liberty evens its record at 6-6 in Big South play and 20-17 overall. Campbell drops to 7-5 in conference and 20-17 overall. The Camels took the first two games of the three-game series, edging the Flames in both contests, 2-1.
Liberty jumped out to an early 1-0 edge in the top of third. Catcher Payton Scarbrough led off the inning with single to left field and advance to second, when Campbell left fielder Drew Butler misplayed the hit. After the Flames catcher moved to third base on a sacrifice bunt by third baseman Eric Grabowski, center fielder Jack Morris lifted a sacrifice fly to right field, plating Scarbrough for a one-run edge.
The Flames extended their advantage with two more runs in the top of fourth, benefitting from another Campbell error. With one out, second baseman Will Shepherd reached on a throwing error by Camel shortstop Anthony Lopez. Two batters, shortstop Dalton Britt lined a two-out single back through the middle of the diamond, scoring Shepherd with the first run of the inning. Right fielder Josh Close followed by lining a RBI double down the left field line to give Liberty a 3-0 lead.
In the seventh, Campbell mounted a scoring threat, but came away empty. With one out, Flames reliever Zach Helsel hit designated hitter Jimmy Monaghan and then walked Butler. Two batters later, second baseman Adam Wyse walked to load the bases with two outs. After a pitching change for the Flames brought Quarterley into the game, the right-hander got third baseman Junior Snow to bounce back to him, ending the inning and keeping the Camels scoreless.
Campbell tried to rally in the ninth, as the first two batters of the inning reached on back-to-back singles. However, Quarterley once again worked out of the jam to close out the Liberty victory. After the next Camel to bat struck out for the first out of the inning, a fielding error by Liberty shortstop Britt allowed the Camels to load the bases. Quarterley then got pinch hitter Justin Lamazaresto to ground into a double play to end the contest and close out the 3-0 Flames’ win.
Camels right-hander Michael Horrell allowed three runs, all unearned, on four hits over nine innings. He struck out five and did not walk a batter.
Liberty collected four hits. Britt had two hits and one RBI and scored a run in the game for the Flames. Campbell managed five hits.
Liberty returns home for a non-conference contest on Tuesday. The Flames will host the Duke Blue Devils at Liberty Baseball Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
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