[A.G.]

BUT--if you ride these arms into the Big South top 6, you definitely save your own hide as even a team full of disgruntled players won't make a difference.

[SuperJon]

Sorry SJ, he's too far south of the Mason-Dixon line for this staff to have much interest.

Great article about what sounds to be a fine young man. I bet he would be a great fit.

Thanks for the great article comment. I wrote it so that makes me feel kinda god.

I still say he's the PERFECT middle reliever to go through the lineup one time. The starters are pumping upper 80's/low 90's and then Newsome would come in would a changeup that is maybe upper 60s and a ton of movement. He's got an 82-83 mph fastball but with a changeup that kid has, it keeps players off balance like crazy. Then bring in a closer throwing around 90 and the hitter's timing is all screwed up. Ask any hitter and they will tell you they'd rather hit someone who threw hard than someone with a junk changeup, curveball, and a fast ball that looked faster than it really was. If Ed Goodson (coached at Grayson High, played for the Giants and Dodgers) and Kirk Goodson (coached at Grayson, played at VaTech when they were good and made it to AA with the Cubs) say this kid is D1 material then I trust them. If either one of those men tell me anything about baseball I will believe it 100%.

[Stevev]

Looks like game three is in the hands of our bullpen. LU is up 8-5 in the top of the seventh but VMI has runners on second and third with 1 out. Phil John just replaced Dustin Umburger on the mound. A wild pitch just brought the 6th run home for VMI. I just hope that the bats start coming to life again to put this one in the books.

[Stevev]

9-7 LU top of the bottom of the 8th.

[Sly Fox]

Hold on tight ... it could be a bumpy ride.

[Hold My Own]

it's safe to breathe again, it's over!

[Stevev]

LU wins 9-7. Bullpen held on!

[Sly Fox]

Bring out the brooms! This weekend has put us back in the conference hunt. This has to be a big confidence builder for the squad.

[krh44]

Nice Sweep. Too bad we couldn't have held on to one or teo of the games that we were winning at Winthrop.

[bigsmooth]

great weekend! im looking fwd to heading up to radford next weekend to see the flames work radford.

[krh44]

What a crowd today. Of course it was a picture perfect day for baseball. Was anyone else at the game? I was tryign to figure out what Coach Royer was arguing about on the balk call. ???

[SuperJon]

I had no gas to waste and no money to get extra gas so I couldn't drive anywhere that wasn't a necessity. I wanted to be there though.

[PAmedic]

Season Highs Lead Flames Past Keydets

April 1, 2006 · Lynchburg, Va.

Box Score Note:
For game box score, click “Team Stats” link on the right-hand navigation bar as all season box scores are listed on this link.

The Liberty Flames used a season-high 19 hits to score a season-high 16 runs to down the VMI Keydets, 16-8, in the second game of the three-game Big South Conference series between the two teams, Saturday afternoon at Worthington Stadium.

Liberty’s previous season-high of 13 hits in a game was reached three times, the last in a 8-7 setback to Rutgers on March 19, while the Flames had previously scored 14 runs in a game this season in a 14-3 victory over Hartford in the first game of a doubleheader on March 4. The Flames’ 16 runs were the most given up in a game by the Keydets this season.

With its second straight conference win, Liberty moves to 20-8 on the season and 2-3 in the Big South Conference, while VMI drops to 20-8 and 2-3 in conference.

For the second day in a row, the Keydets plated a run in the top half of the first inning. A two-out double by Robert Crumpler scored Chris Rice, who led off the frame with a single, for a 1-0 advantage.

In the bottom half of the inning, the Flames batted around and the first six batters all scored as Liberty staked itself to a 6-1 advantage. Patrick Gaillard (Jr., SS, Taylors, S.C.) opened the frame with a double to the left center field gap. After Chad Miller (Sr., 3B, Wheat Ridge, Colo.) was hit by a pitch, the Flames knotted the game at 1-1 as a ground ball to short was misplayed by the VMI shortstop, allowing Gaillard to score. Aaron Grijalva (r-So., 1B, Redlands, Calif.) then reached on a bunt single to load the bases for Phillip Laurent (Sr., LF, Cantrall, Ill.), who walked to force across Liberty’s second run of the inning. Back-to-back RBI bunt base hits by the next two batters, P.K Keller (So., CF, St. Petersburg, Fla.) and Derek Bennion (r-Jr., DH, Snohomish, Wash.), each plated single runs. After a fly out for the first out of the inning, Errol Hollinger (Fr., C, Upland, Calif.) sent a single back through the middle, scoring Laurent and Bennion.

Liberty increased its lead to 7-1 in the fourth inning as two doubles provided the Flames a run. Gaillard doubled for the second time on the afternoon and scored on a double by Just.

VMI closed the gap in the top of the fifth with three runs. With the base loaded, Crumpler got hit by a pitch to force across the Keydets’ second run of the day. Catcher Michael Roberts followed with a 2-run double off the right field wall to cut the Liberty lead to 7-4.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Flames broke the game open with seven runs on eight hits. Laurent led off the frame with his fourth home run of the season over the right field wall. Bennion, who had his first multiple hit game of the season, doubled down the left field line and scored as Phil John (Jr., RF, Linwood, N.J.) singled up the middle. Hollinger followed with a RBI double to left center field gap. The Liberty catcher then came home on an error by the VMI shortstop on a sharp grounder by Gaillard. After Miller, Just hit his second double of the day down the left line to chasing home Gaillard and Miller with the inning’s fifth and sixth runs. Laurent then capped the inning with a single to score Just in his second at bat in the frame.

Liberty added two more runs in the sixth on a RBI triple by pinch hitter Abe Yeakel (Jr., C, Kutztown, Pa.) and a RBI double by Miller.

VMI plated four in the ninth inning without a hit as five Keydet batters were hit by a pitch, two with bases loaded to force in runs and two sacrifice flies.

Phillip Thompson (Sr., RHP, Ringgold, Va.) pitched a six innings, allowing four runs on seven hits to run his record to 4-3 on the season for Liberty. The right-hander has won four of his five starts, while receiving a no decision in his other start. He also struck out a career-high nine batters, while walking two. VMI’s John Phelps fell to 1-1, allowing six runs on five hits in 1/3 inning.

10 of the 15 Flames who came to the plate had a hit as Gaillard lead the way with his first three-hit game of the season, while seven other Flames each had two hits. Chad Rice was the only Keydet with two hits.

VMI and Liberty will meet again tomorrow in the final game of the three-game series at Worthington Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.

[PAmedic]

Flames Sweep Series From Keydets

April 2, 2006 · Lynchburg, Va.

Chad Miller’s third inning bases clearing triple gave Liberty an 8-4 lead the Flames never relinquished as Liberty went on to defeat the VMI Keydets,
9-7, Sunday afternoon at Worthington Stadium and sweep the three-game weekend Big South Series.

With their fourth straight win, Liberty runs its record to 21-8 and 3-3 in the Big South, while VMI falls to 20-9 and 2-4 in the conference.

For the third straight day, the Flames scored in the first inning to take an early lead. Lead off man Patrick Gaillard (Jr., SS, Taylors, S.C.) singled and Miller (Sr., 3B, Wheat Ridge, Colo.) walked to open the frame. Michael Just (Sr., 2B, Woodcliff Lake, N.J.) followed with a sharply hit double down the left field line to plate both runners for a quick 2-0 Liberty advantage. Just later scored on a RBI ground out by Aaron Grijalva (r-So., 1B, Redlands, Calif.) to go up 3-0.

VMI countered with three runs in the top of the second to knot the score at 3-3. With runners on the corners and no outs, center fielder B.T. Good singled up the middle to chase home both runners. Good later scored on a ground out by designated hitter Will Smith to tie the game.

The Flames went back on top in the bottom of the inning as Phill John (Jr., RF, Linwood, N.J.) reached on a error by the Keydet shortstop, advanced all the way to third base on a wild pitch and scored for 4-3 advantage on a single by Errol Hollinger (Fr., C, Upland, Calif.).

Once again, the Keydets answered back in the top half of the third. After being hit by a pitch, advancing to second on a wild pitch and stealing third on the front end of a double steal, lead off man Chad Rice came home on a sacrifice fly by first baseman Robert Crumpler to tie the game at 4-4.

In the bottom of the inning, the Flames erupted for four runs to take the lead for good. After loading the bases with two outs, Gaillard hit a ball sharply in the hole between short and third for an RBI infield single to put Liberty ahead, 5-4. Miller, who has hit safely in 10 straight games, followed by roping a liner down the right field line to clear the bases for a 7-4 lead.

VMI cut into the Liberty lead with three runs in the seventh inning. With two men on and one out, Rice doubled to right center field to score a run. The Keydets’ then scored two more on a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly by Klint Reed to make it, 8-7.

The Flames then added a run in the bottom of the inning for a 9-7 lead. Abe Yeakel (Jr., DH, Kutztown, Pa.) walked, stole second and scored on two wild pitches.

Liberty starter Dustin Umberger (Fr., RHP, Hummelstown, Pa.) picked up his first collegiate win in his second start to even his record at 1-1 on the season. The right-hander pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowing seven runs on five hits, while striking out two and walking two. Reliever Tim John (Jr., RHP, Linwood, N.J.) came on to retired all eight Keydet batters he faced to earn his first save of the year. J.J. Hollenbeck took the loss for the Keydets to fall to 1-3 as he gave up five runs on six hits, while walking three.

The top of the Liberty line-up had a big day at the plate as Gaillard (3-for-5) and Miller (2-for-3) combined to go 5-for-8 with four RBI and scored three runs. It was Gaillard’s second straight day with three hits. Second baseman Shane Geisslinger was the only Keydets with two hits.

Liberty hits the road on Wednesday for a night game against William & Mary. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.

[PAmedic]

The debate now is- was VMI that bad or are we that good? Other than faltering in the WU series (which we could have, and some would argue, SHOULD HAVE won) the guys have played well.

It certainly seems as though the BSOUTH is respectable this year, and we are beating OOC teams handily as well. I'm looking at this with the viewpoint of we really have a talented young team here and may surprise people in the postseason.

I think getting 36 wins is very attainable- will that get us into the tourney?

[Chris Lang]

The bullpen HAS to sort itself out. The lineup is fine. The three starters are fine. If they figure out the bullpen puzzle, this can be a very good team. LU blew huge leads in two of the Winthrop games. If the bullpen held the leads, they'd be 5-1 in the BS right now.

The good thing is that they're all very young, and there's time to improve. I like Umberger's mentality, even if his stuff hasn't caught up yet.

[Hold My Own]

I think getting 36 wins is very attainable- will that get us into the tourney?

I hate to keep bringing it up but this is when the SOS plays a big part

[WinthropEagleFan]

I think getting 36 wins is very attainable- will that get us into the tourney?

I hate to keep bringing it up but this is when the SOS plays a big part

I have to agree with HMO here...36 wins can make it, but you have to have the schedule and some big wins to back it up (I think Elon had somewhere around 36-38 wins when they got an at-large one year, but they had some wins over ranked teams)...In LU's case, I really think they'd need to win 40+, and I still don't think that guarantees anything...

[PAmedic]

36 wins would have them going around 15-10 over the next 25 games. I figured that is the worst they'd do: 18-7 might be doable if they average what they have been, but that still puts them at 39 wins. hmmmm

[A.G.]

39 wins plus a couple in the tourney SHOULD do the trick--even with the schedule.

[TDDance234]

I was at the game.. was sitting on a blanket behind homeplate with the girlfriend.

Great weekend for baseball. The VMI fans were very classy as well. Talked to a lot of older gentlemen that had come to watch VMI and were nothing but class and knowledgable.

We're a hitting machine. Absolutely great hitting.

[PAmedic]

Baseball thrashes VMI

by Nick Pierce
After being swept by Winthrop in Rock Hill last weekend, the Flames would be out for some revenge this week.
Following an 11-2 drubbing of the George Mason Patriots on Wednesday, and a weekend sweep of conference foe VMI, only two words come to mind when describing the last week for Liberty’s baseball squad.

Mission Accomplished.

Sunday, Liberty topped the VMI Keydets 9-7 at Al Worthington Stadium, completing the series and season sweep of VMI.

“I told the guys that I thought the key to the whole series was that we answered back. Almost every time I looked up at the board, if they had a big inning, we came right back and scored,” said Liberty Head Coach Matt Royer. “That’s a good sign. It takes away momentum from the other team.”

In a game where good pitching was scarce, Liberty starter Dustin Umberger was still able to garner the first collegiate win of his career.

Umberger, a freshman, pitched a scoreless first inning for the Flames. In the bottom of the frame, his teammates would stake him to a 3-0 advantage. However, VMI would strike back in the top of the second inning with three runs of their own.

The two sides would be tied at four in the bottom of the third inning, when the Flames

put up four more runs and began pulling away for the moment with an 8-4 lead.

Working into the fifth inning Umberger began to struggle, prompting a visit from Flames Pitching Coach Randy Tomlin.

“He told me what I was doing wrong with my mechanics, and we straightened them out,” said Umberger. “Once I fixed that I got everything going to the plate and I threw a lot better.”

Umberger pitched six and one-third innings for Liberty, allowing seven earned runs on five hits. His record improves to 1-1 on the season in now 11 appearances. Despite being a little roughed up in the early innings, Royer was still pleased with Umberger’s overall performance.

“He ate innings for us, and that’s what we needed, because Ryan Page missed the whole series because of a slight elbow problem,” said Royer. “We’d like to have him in the bullpen so we could throw him more with less innings, but he gave us just what we needed last week and he did it again today.”

Last week Umberger earned a no decision in his first collegiate start against Winthrop. He threw just over five innings in the second game of the series, allowing four earned runs to the defending Big South Champions.

In Sunday’s win, Patrick Gaillard and Chad Miller would lead the Flames offensively. Gaillard, a junior, went 3-5 from the plate, with two runs scored and an RBI. Miller, a senior, was 2-3 with three RBI and a run scored.

On the other side of the fence VMI, after throwing five pitchers in Saturday’s 16-8 loss, used three pitchers in Sunday’s slugfest. Starter Michael Bowman, a freshman, only threw two innings, allowing four runs, three earned, on three hits. Coming into today’s ballgame, Bowman had not pitched in over a month due to health problems with his throwing arm.

“He’s a freshman, and he’s got a great arm,” said VMI Head Coach Marlin Ikenberry. “He just miss located a few pitches.”

Friday, the Flames would knock off VMI in the series opener by a final score of 8-5. In that game, the Flames would also have to come back down 5-2 in the bottom of the sixth inning. Aaron Grijalva led off the inning with a home run, and the Flames scored four runs that inning to take the lead.

Wednesday’s game against George Mason was never really in doubt for the Flames. Liberty took a 1-0 advantage in the bottom of the first inning. In the second inning, the Flames blew the doors off of the Patriots scoring nine runs and send 13 batters to the plate.

Freshman pitcher Tyler Light picked up his first career collegiate win for the Flames, pitching three shutout innings.

Liberty will be back in action Wednesday when the team travels to Williamsburg, Va. for a one-game showdown with William and Mary. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Contact Nick Pierce at npierce@liberty.edu

[fsn32]

Pics now up from VMI and Va Tech...

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