Game 28 - April 6, 2010 LIBERTY FLAMES (18-9, 3-3 Big South) at OLD DOMINION MONARCHS (13-19, 2-4 CAA) Bud Metheny Baseball Complex - Norfolk, Va. 2010 Liberty 2010 Liberty Flames Baseball Flames Baseball Quick Facts Quick Facts General Information General Information Name of School Name of School ........... ........... Liberty University Liberty University City/Zip City/Zip ................. ................. Lynchburg, Va. 24502 Lynchburg, Va. 24502 Founded Founded .......................................... .......................................... 1971 1971 Enrollment Enrollment .................................... .................................... 11,982 11,982 Nickname Nickname..................................... ..................................... Flames Flames Mascot Mascot ............................................ ............................................ Eagle Eagle School Colors School Colors ............. .............Red, White & Blue Red, White & Blue Affiliation Affiliation ......................... .........................NCAA Division I NCAA Division I Conference Conference .............................. .............................. Big South Big South Founder Founder ......................... ......................... Dr. Jerry Falwell Dr. Jerry Falwell Chancellor Chancellor ..................... ..................... Jerry Falwell, Jr. Jerry Falwell, Jr. Director of Athletics Director of Athletics................ ................ Jeff Barber Jeff Barber Athletics Dept. Phone Athletics Dept. Phone ..... ..... (434) 582-2100 (434) 582-2100 Baseball Information Baseball Information Head Coach Head Coach............................ ............................Jim Toman Jim Toman Alma Mater Alma Mater ............. ............. N.C. State (‘85, ‘95) N.C. State (‘85, ‘95) Record at School Record at School .... .... 86-56-1/Three Years 86-56-1/Three Years Career Record Career Record ................................ ................................Same Same Assistant Coaches Assistant Coaches................................... ................................... ...................... ...................... Garrett Quinn (Maine , ‘98) Garrett Quinn (Maine , ‘98) ................ ................ Jason Murray ((Ball State, ‘98) Jason Murray ((Ball State, ‘98) ...................... ......................Adam Ward (Clemson, ‘08) Adam Ward (Clemson, ‘08) Director of Baseball Operations Director of Baseball Operations............... ............... ......................... .........................Billy Daniels (Liberty, ‘06) Billy Daniels (Liberty, ‘06) Associate Athletic Trainer Associate Athletic Trainer ........................ ........................ ...................................... ...................................... Scott Lawrenson Scott Lawrenson History History First Season of Baseball First Season of Baseball.................. .................. 1974 1974 All-Time Record All-Time Record ............ ............ 998-782-7 (.560) 998-782-7 (.560) NCAA Tournament Appearances NCAA Tournament Appearances........... ........... 3 3 Last NCAA Appearance Last NCAA Appearance................... ................... 2000 2000 2009 Overall Record 2009 Overall Record....................... ....................... 33-21 33-21 2009 Conference Record/Finish 2009 Conference Record/Finish.............. .............. ................................................. .................................................17-9/Third 17-9/Third Starters Returning/Lost Starters Returning/Lost....................... ....................... 7/1 7/1 Pitchers Returning/Lost Pitchers Returning/Lost ...................... ...................... 6/4 6/4 Letterwinners Returning/Lost Letterwinners Returning/Lost............ ............ 14/7 14/7 Newcomers Newcomers.......................................... .......................................... 13 13 Stadium Stadium Home Field Home Field ............ ............ Worthington Stadium Worthington Stadium Capacity Capacity ......................................... ......................................... 1,000 1,000 Field Dimensions Field Dimensions ..... ..... 325 (LF), 370 (LC), 325 (LF), 370 (LC), ................. ................. 390 (CF), 370 (RC), 325 (RF) 390 (CF), 370 (RC), 325 (RF) Athletics Communications Info. Athletics Communications Info. Asst. AD - Communications Asst. AD - Communications..................... ..................... .......................................... ..........................................Todd Wetmore Todd Wetmore SID Office Phone SID Office Phone............ ............ (434) 582-2292 (434) 582-2292 Cell Phone Cell Phone ...................... ...................... (434) 841-8974 (434) 841-8974 Email Address Email Address....... ....... [email protected][email protected]Assoc. Director Assoc. Director ............. ............. Ryan Bomberger Ryan Bomberger Cell Phone Cell Phone ..................... ..................... (434) 221-5576 (434) 221-5576 Email Address Email Address... ... [email protected][email protected]Asst. Director Asst. Director .................... .................... Paul Carmany Paul Carmany Cell Phone Cell Phone ...................... ...................... (434) 221-5575 (434) 221-5575 Email Address Email Address..... ..... [email protected][email protected]Asst. Director Asst. Director .......................... ..........................Eric Brown Eric Brown Cell Phone Cell Phone ...................... ...................... (434) 221-8817 (434) 221-8817 Email Address Email Address........ ........ [email protected][email protected]Grad. Assistant Grad. Assistant .............. .............. Jennifer Shelton Jennifer Shelton Cell Phone Cell Phone ...................... ...................... (828) 638-3876 (828) 638-3876 Email Address Email Address...... ......[email protected][email protected]Baseball Contact Baseball Contact .......... .......... Ryan Bomberger Ryan Bomberger Ath. Comm. Fax Ath. Comm. Fax.............. .............. (434) 582-2076 (434) 582-2076 Website Website...................... ......................LibertyFlames.com LibertyFlames.com The Game The Liberty Flames (18-9, 3-3 Big South) travel across the Commonwealth of Virgin- ia for a non-conference midweek tilt with the Old Dominion Monarchs (13-19, 2-4 CAA), Tuesday at the Bud Metheny Baseball Complex in Norfolk, Va. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. Last Time Out The Flames split a doubleheader with the High Point Panthers at Worthington Sta- dium on Saturday. Liberty took the first game, 14-8, and fell in the second game, 5-4. Center fielder Curran Redal had a big day at the top of the Liberty order, going 7-for- 10 in the twinbill. In the first game, the senior outfielder had his first five-hit game as a Flame. Right-hander Keegan Linza ran his record to a Big South-leading 6-0 in the opener. Josh Richardson came on in the seventh and pitched the final 2 2/3 innings to earn his second save of the year. In the nightcap, Liberty could not close out a 4-3 lead in the ninth inning. The Pan- thers rallied in their last at bat for the victory. On Deck The Flames will continue on the road this weekend, against in-state Big South Con- ference foe Radford, Friday-Sunday at the RU Baseball Complex. The series will get underway Friday at 3 p.m., followed by a single game Saturday at 2 p.m. and the series finale Sunday at 1 p.m. Flames on the Air Tuesday’s Liberty - Old Dominion contest from Norfolk, Va., may be heard LIVE on WWMC 90.9 FM “The Light.” Nick Pierce will handle play-by-play duties and former Flames pitcher Doug Wallace will provide commentary. The broadcast will also be avail- able on the World Wide web at both LibertyFlames.com and thelightonline.com Liberty’s Projected Starters No. Name Cl. Hgt. Wgt. BAvg. Other Stats 23 Nathan Thompson (C) Sr. 6-3 215 .326 22 Runs, 19 RBIs, 7 2Bs, 4 HRs 10 Trey Wimmer (1B) So. 6-2 215 .259 9 Runs, 21 RBIs, 9 2Bs, 1 HR 19 P.J. Jimenez (2B) Sr. 6-0 170 .363 29 Runs, 21 RBIs, 4 2Bs, 1 3B, 2 HRs 1 Matt Williams (SS) So. 6-0 165 .384 21 Runs, 9 RBIs, 11 2Bs, 1 3B, 1 HR 5 Tyler Bream (3B) So. 6-3 205 .360 23 Runs, 30 RBIs, 8 2Bs, 1 3B, 3 HRs 14 Doug Bream (LF) Jr. 6-3 210 .341 12 Runs, 12 RBIs, 1 2Bs, 1 HR 6 Curran Redal (CF) Sr. 5-9 170 .375 24 Runs, 20 RBIs, 8 2Bs, 1 HR 7 Michael Robertson (RF) So. 6-2 200 .360 21 Runs, 17 RBIs, 5 2Bs, 3 3B, 2 HRs 4 Austin Taylor (DH) Jr. 6-3 190 .238 7 Runs, 6 RBIs, 2 2Bs, 1 HR
The Game The Liberty Flames (18-9, 3-3 Big South) travel across the Commonwealth of Virgin-ia for a non-conference midweek tilt with the Old Dominion Monarchs (13-19, 2-4 CAA), Tuesday at the Bud Metheny Baseball Complex in Norfolk, Va. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.
Last Time Out The Flames split a doubleheader with the High Point Panthers at Worthington Sta-dium on Saturday. Liberty took the fi rst game, 14-8, and fell in the second game, 5-4. Center fi elder Curran Redal had a big day at the top of the Liberty order, going 7-for-10 in the twinbill. In the fi rst game, the senior outfi elder had his fi rst fi ve-hit game as a Flame. Right-hander Keegan Linza ran his record to a Big South-leading 6-0 in the opener. Josh Richardson came on in the seventh and pitched the fi nal 2 2/3 innings to earn his second save of the year. In the nightcap, Liberty could not close out a 4-3 lead in the ninth inning. The Pan-thers rallied in their last at bat for the victory.
On Deck The Flames will continue on the road this weekend, against in-state Big South Con-ference foe Radford, Friday-Sunday at the RU Baseball Complex. The series will get underway Friday at 3 p.m., followed by a single game Saturday at 2 p.m. and the series fi nale Sunday at 1 p.m. Flames on the Air Tuesday’s Liberty - Old Dominion contest from Norfolk, Va., may be heard LIVE on WWMC 90.9 FM “The Light.” Nick Pierce will handle play-by-play duties and former Flames pitcher Doug Wallace will provide commentary. The broadcast will also be avail-able on the World Wide web at both LibertyFlames.com and thelightonline.com
Record at Liberty: 88-56-1 (Three Years)Career Record: Same After leading the Flames to the best record of any Liberty head coach during his fi rst two years, 68-47-1, Jim Toman is in his third year at the helm of the Flames. Last season, Liberty recorded a 33-21 overall record, while posting a 17-9 mark in Big South Conference play, the most victories by the school since joining the conference in 1992. While re-cording 30 or more wins in each of Toman’s seasons in Lynchburg, Liberty reached the plateau for the fi fth consecutive season for the fi rst time in the program’s 36-year history in 2009. Liberty set a new fi elding standard in 2009, committing the fewest errors, 53 and fi nishing the year with the highest fi elding percentage, .974, in team history. The 2009 team’s fi elding percentage ranked 16th in the country. From that infi eld, third baseman Tyler Bream was named a Freshman All-American by the Collegiate Baseball News. Pitcher Andrew Wilson became the third player during Toman’s time at Liberty to be taken in the MLB draft (Atlanta Braves), while catcher Errol Hollinger later signed a free agent contract (Arizona Diamondbacks). In 2008, the Flames fashioned a 13-3-1 record in the month of May to fi nish the Toman’s fi rst season at Liberty with a 35-26-1 mark. The record made Toman the winningest fi rst-year coach in the program’s 36-year history. He guided the Flames to their third straight Big South Championship title game appearance, claiming the conference’s runner-up position in 2008. Liberty’s May record was the best ever by Flames team. In addition, the Liberty pitching staff set a new season strikeout record, fanning 508 opposing batters during the year. The Flames’ strikeout total led the Big South Conference and their 8.2 strikeouts per nine innings ranked 22nd nationally at season’s end. Two pitchers from the staff, Ryan Page and David Stokes, went on to be drafted and play in the professional ranks this past summer. Page was taken in the 20th round of the MLB draft by the Toronto Blue Jays, while Stokes was picked in the 28th round by the Detroit Tigers. Liberty also eclipsed the school’s single-season doubles mark, ripping 155 two-base hits. The total ranked the Flames fi fth in the country in the category. Liberty fi nished its season with a 14-7 record in conference play. The mark allowed the Flames to claim the No. 2 seed for the Big South Championship, their highest seed for the Big South Base-ball Championship since a No. 1 seed in 2000. Liberty would go on to post four consecutive double-digit victories during six games in the Big South Championship to set a championship record with 55 runs scored. Toman is the sixth head coach in the 35-year history of the Liberty Baseball program. The sec-ond-year skipper comes to Liberty after 11 seasons as the senior member of Ray Tanner’s coaching staff at South Carolina. Toman worked a total of 18 years alongside Tanner, dating back to the 1990 season at N.C. State. During his time at South Carolina, Toman served as recruiting coordinator and worked with the team’s catchers. Known as one of the top recruiters in college baseball, the 19-year college coaching veteran was named the 2002 Baseball America/American Baseball Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year. Before joining the Gamecock staff in 1996, Toman served under Tanner for seven years at N.C. State. Toman has recruited 15 top 25 classes, including all 11 of his seasons at South Carolina. From 2003-2006, three of the four Gamecock recruiting classes were ranked fi rst in the nation by Col-legiate Baseball. Toman’s 2003, 2005 and 2006 classes were named the top recruiting classes by the publication. During his time on the staff in Columbia, S.C., Toman and the Gamecocks made nine NCAA Regional appearances, including eight-straight since 2000, and three consecutive trips to the Col-lege World Series (2002-04). Add in his seven seasons at N.C. State, and Toman has helped lead 15 teams to NCAA Regional appearances. In addition, South Carolina posted eight-straight seasons of 40 or more wins with Toman on the Gamecock coaching staff, including 2007. During Toman’s 11 seasons at South Carolina, he helped the Gamecocks to a combined 500-220 (.694) record. Toman earned four baseball letters at N.C. State, 1981-84, and was captain of the Wolfpack his junior and senior seasons. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in vocational industrial educa-tion in 1985. He received a Master of Science degree in sport management from N.C. State in 1995. Upon graduation, Toman entered the coaching profession as an assistant at Richmond County High School in Rockingham, N.C., for two years. He moved into the collegiate coaching ranks in 1989 as an assistant at Florida International for one year. At FIU, he was responsible for the weight program, worked with the squad’s catchers and coached fi rst base. Toman joined the N.C. State staff before the 1990 season.
Liberty University2010 Baseball
Schedule
Record: 18-9Big South: 3-3
Feb 19 at Kennesaw State W/10-4Feb 20 at Kennesaw State W/11-2Feb 21 at Kennesaw State W/10-4Feb 26 vs. Morehead State ^ W/5-2Feb 27 vs. Lehigh ^ W/6-3Feb 28 at UNC Wilmington ^ W/12-2Mar 5 Delaware State W/8-1Mar 6 Delaware State W/16-0Mar 7 Delaware State W/10-1Mar 9 Old Dominion L/3-5Mar 12 St. John’s W/9-1Mar 13 St. John’s W/14-9Mar 14 St. John’s L/6-7 (11 inn.)Mar 16 at James Madison L/2-13Mar 17 at Duke L/2-3 (11 inn.)Mar 19 Manhattan W/8-4Mar 20 Manhattan L/13-14 (10 inn.)Mar 21 Manhattan W/8-6Mar 24 at Virginia Tech L/0-10Mar 26 at UNC Asheville * L/4-5Mar 27 at UNC Asheville * L/1-2Mar 27 at UNC Asheville * W/7-3Mar 30 George Mason W/9-7March 31 at VCU W/7-4Apr 2 High Point * W/6-4Apr 3 High Point * W/14-8Apr. 3 High Point * L/4-5Apr 6 at Old Dominion 5 p.m.Apr 9 at Radford * 3 p.m.Apr 10 at Radford * 2 p.m.Apr 11 at Radford * 1 p.m.Apr 13 Elon 6 p.m.Apr 16 VMI * 7 p.m.Apr 17 VMI * 4 p.m.Apr 18 VMI * 1 p.m.Apr 20 Duke 6 p.m.Apr 21 James Madison 3 p.m.Apr 23 at Presbyterian * 3 p.m.Apr 24 at Presbyterian * 2 p.m.Apr 25 at Presbyterian * 1 p.m.Apr 27 at Elon 7 p.m.Apr 30 Gardner-Webb * 7 p.m.May 1 Gardner-Webb * 4 p.m.May 2 Gardner-Webb * 1 p.m.May 4 at George Mason 3 p.m.May 5 Maryland 3 p.m.May 7 at Charleston Southern * 2 p.m.May 8 at Charleston Southern * 3 p.m.May 9 at Charleston Southern * 2 p.m.May 14 Coastal Carolina * 7 p.m.May 15 Coastal Carolina * 7 p.m.May 16 Coastal Carolina * 1 p.m.May 18 VCU 7 p.m.May 20 at Winthrop * 6 p.m.May 21 at Winthrop * 6 p.m.May 22 at Winthrop * 2 p.m.May 25-29 at Big South Baseball Championship - Rock Hill, S.C.June 4-7 at NCAA Regionals
Home Games in Bold^- Hughes Bros. Challenge - Wilmington, N.C.* - Big South Game(DH) - DoubleheaderAll Times Eastern Standard Time
The Coaches Liberty Head Coach Jim Toman is in his third year at the helm of the Flames. In his fi rst two seasons, he guided the Flames to 68 wins, the most during the fi rst two years under any head coach in program history, and best winning percentage (.591) over the same span. Last season, Liberty posted the most victories in Big South Conference play with a 17-9 mark, since joining the conference in 1992. The Flames recorded an overall record of 33-21 in Toman’s second year. A 21-year member of the college coaching ranks, he served 18 years as a member of Ray Tanner’s staffs at South Carolina and N.C. State. Toman was named the 2002 Baseball America/American Baseball Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year and recruited 15 top 25 classes, including all 11 of his seasons at South Carolina. From 2003-2006, three of the four Gamecock recruiting classes were ranked fi rst in the nation by Collegiate Baseball. Old Dominion Head Coach Jerry Meyers is in his sixth year with the Monarchs and has posted a 156-147 career record with the club. Last season, he saw pitcher Brett Harris named CAA Rookie of the Year, as Old Dominion went 25-27 with a relatively young squad. He also served as pitching coach with the 2008 USA National Team staff that won a gold medal in the FISU World Championships with a 24-0 record. In 2007, Old Dominion compiled a 35-24 record and was the top seed in the CAA tournament and co-regular season champions under Meyers. The Monarch pitching staff topped the CAA with a 3.97 ERA and 471 strikeouts. Meyers was awarded the Collegiate Coach of the Year honor from the Mid-Atlantic Major League Baseball Scouts Association in 2006. Old Dominion enjoyed one of the nation’s biggest turnarounds, going 39-17 and fi nishing second in the CAA that year. The Monarchs climbed back into the national top 15 for the fi rst time since the mid 1980’s. Meyers was also named the CAA Coach of the Year. He spent eight years at South Carolina, working with the team’s pitchers, before taking over at Old Dominion. Meyers served on the same staff with Liberty’s Jim Toman under South Carolina Head Coach Ray Tanner.
All-time against Old Dominion Tuesday will be the 53rd meeting between Liberty and Old Dominion on the baseball diamond all-time, and the second this season. The Monarchs have had the better of things over the course of the all-time series between the two Commonwealth teams, holding a 35-17 edge since the fi rst meeting in 1982. Earlier this year, the Monarchs defeated the Flames, 5-3, at Worthington Stadium on March 9. Last season, Old Dominion took both contests, defeating the Flames, 2-1, on March 31 at the Bud Metheny Baseball Complex in Norfolk, Va., before taking a 7-5 victory against Liberty at Worthington Stadium on April 14.
2010 Liberty FlamesRoster
No. Name Pos. Cl.
1 Matt Williams INF So.
2 Kizuku Scott OF So.
3 Josh Richardson INF/RHP Fr.
4 Austin Taylor INF Jr.
5 Tyler Bream 3B So.
6 Curran Redal OF Sr.
7 Michael Robertson OF So.
8 Blake Forslund RHP So.
9 Jeff Jefferson OF Jr.
10 Trey Wimmer 1B/C So.
11 Casey Brown OF Sr.
12 Jerry Neufang C Jr.
13 Dane Beakler RHP Sr.
14 Doug Bream OF Jr.
16 Cameron Giannini RHP Fr.
17 Dustin Umberger RHP Sr.
18 Justin Richardson OF So.
19 P.J. Jimenez INF Sr.
20 Chris Roach LHP Jr.
21 Steven Evans LHP Jr.
22 J.J. McLeod RHP Jr.
23 Nathan Thompson C Sr.
24 Shawn Teufel LHP Sr.
26 Zane Bator 1B Sr.
27 Daniel Brown RHP Fr.
29 Kenneth Negron OF Sr.
31 Bryan Cole RHP Jr.
32 Mark Swanson RHP Sr.
33 Josh Healey RHP Fr.
34 Carter Browning RHP Sr.
37 Keegan Linza RHP Jr.
38 Tim Dudley LHP Fr.
40 Chris McDougal RHP So.
46 Justin Sizemore 1B Fr.
Coaches
47 Jim Toman
42 Garrett Quinn
35 Jason Murray
25 Adam WardLiberty......................................... 2010 Statistical Comparison ............................................. ODU18-9 ............................................................... Record ............................................................. 13-19.314 ........................................................ Batting Average ........................................................ .265205 ..................................................................Runs ................................................................... 169296 ...................................................................Hits ................................................................... 27921 ...............................................................Home Runs ............................................................... 26189 .......................................................... Runs Batted In .......................................................... 15821 ..............................................................Stolen Bases ............................................................. 104.02 .................................................... Earned Run Average ..................................................... 6.08241.2 .......................................................Innings Pitched ....................................................... 277.0 189 ............................................................. Strikeouts .............................................................. 220 5 .................................................................... Saves ...................................................................... 5.252 ................................................ Opponent Batting Average ................................................ .315
Scouting the Monarchs Old Dominion enters Tuesday’s contest, looking to reverse its recent fortunes. Since defeating the Flames, 5-3, to move to 9-5 on the year, the Monarchs have posted a 4-14 mark. Old Dominion begins the week with a .265 team batting average. The Monarchs have been outscored on the year, 213 to 169. Outfi elder Kenny Stoneback paces Old Dominion in hitting with a .381 average. He has played in 21 games. Third baseman Jake McAloose is next, hitting .322. Outfi elder Nathan Hoffman is the only Monarch with more than 20 RBIs, having driven in 29. With a 6.08 ERA, opponents have hit .315 against the Old Dominion pitching staff. Several Monarch hurlers have gotten starts in the midweek, as they have looked for con-sistency in the midweek. Phil McCarthy has made 15 appearances, including one start, to lead the Monarchs in appearances. He has posted a 0-1 mark, with two saves and a 6.35 ERA. Cory Toth has also made double-digit appearances with 13. He is 2-0 with two saves and an 8.87 ERA. Analyzing April The Flames have started April with a 2-1 record. Liberty is scheduled to play 18 games during the month. Last season, the Flames fi nished the month of April with a 10-8 record. Liberty posted a 9-3 mark in Big South Conference play. Since 1976, the Flames have recorded an all-time mark of 331-281-1 (.541) in April.
March Mayhem With three-straight victories to close the month, Liberty posted a 10-8 mark in games during March this season, including a 1-2 start to Big South Conference play. The Flames are 347-275-2 (.558) all-time in program history during the month. Fast Starts in February After completing the month of February with a 6-0 record, its best February start since 1995, the Flames have recorded a .500 or better mark for the month 20 out of 23 times. Since beginning play during the month of February in 1984, Liberty has posted an all-time mark of 70-32 for a .686 winning percentage. Over the past fi ve years, the Flames are 28-9 (.757) during the month of February, while recording a 14-3 mark under head coach Jim Toman during his three years at Lib-erty.
Home Sweet Home For the past 32 years, the Flames have called Worthington Stadium home. Named for program architect and the fi rst Liberty head baseball coach, Al Worthington, Liberty has compiled an impressive 515-233-5 record at the stadium for a winning percentage of .687 since the facility’s inception in 1979. The Flames have posted a 10-4 record at Worthington this season. Liberty is slated to play 28 contests at home in 2010. The Flames fi nished the 2009 regular season with a 19-5 record at the facility and are 33-18-1 at home under three-year head coach Jim Toman’s guidance.
Flames on the Road With their victory last Wednesday at VCU, the Flames have posted a 6-5 mark on the road this season. Liberty is also 2-0 in contests on neutral fi elds. The Flames fi nished 2009 with a 11-13 fi nal road ledger. The Flames also compiled a 3-3 record on neutral fi elds.
Liberty at Night The Flames have started the season, 2-0, with victories in their fi rst two night games of the season last week. Liberty will play 11 games under the lights this year. The Flames went 8-7 at night last season.
A Look atOld Dominion
Location : Norfolk, Va.Founded: 1930Enrollment : 23,800Nickname: MonarchsColors: Navy Blue, Silver, Gray and Light BlueConference: Colonial Athletic
RECENT RESULTSApr. 4 James Madison L, 4-1Apr. 3 James Madison L, 7-5Apr. 2 James Madison W, 6-1Mar. 31 at N.C. State L, 7-3Mar. 30 at Longwood L, 11-4
UPCOMING SCHEDULEApr. 9 at George MasonApr. 10 at George MasonApr. 11 at George MasonApr. 13 Norfolk State
Making It Tough to Score Liberty enters the week, allowing its opponents 4.7 runs per game Liberty has only given up more than fi ve runs in a contest eight times this season. Through 27 games, Liberty has outscored its opponents, 205-129.
Scoring First The Flames have gotten on the scoreboard fi rst in 22 of their 27 contests this season. Liberty is 17-5, when scoring fi rst. The Flames’ 7-3 victory at UNC Asheville is the only time this season that Liberty has won a contest when not scoring fi rst.
Liberty All-Time Against the Big South Liberty, a 19-year member of the Big South Conference, has compiled a 245-179 (.578) record against the Big South Conference’s current membership. Liberty All-Time Against the Big SouthCharleston Southern........................................35-21Coastal Carolina ..............................................27-41Gardner-Webb .....................................................2-3High Point ........................................................35-27Radford ............................................................44-26UNC Asheville..................................................40-19Presbyterian ........................................................3-0VMI .................................................................28-10Winthrop ..........................................................31-33Total ............................................................245-179
Liberty Against the CAA Old Dominion is a member of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). Along with the Monarchs, the Flames have played CAA members George Mason, James Madison, UNC Wilmington and VCU this season, posting a 3-2 mark. Liberty currently holds a 126-165 record against current members of the CAA.
Flames Against the CAADelaware ........................................................... 0-2George Mason ............................................... 24-32Georgia State .................................................... 0-0Hofstra ............................................................... 2-1James Madison ............................................. 26-35Northeastern ...................................................... 0-0Old Dominion ................................................. 17-35Towson .............................................................. 6-8 UNC Wilmington ................................................ 6-3VCU ............................................................... 21-28William & Mary ............................................... 21-24Total ...........................................................126-165
Baseball in the Commonwealth Thirteen Division I baseball teams call the Commonwealth of Virginia home. The Flames will play a slate of 15 games against opponents from the “Old Dominion State” this season, including all four of their games this week. Liberty will visit Old Dominion on Tuesday and fellow instate rival Radford in a three-game Big South series on the weekend. Tuesday, the Flames will be looking to even their record against Commonwealth foes at 3-3. Liberty is scheduled to meet state squads George Mason (two times), James Madi-son (two times), Old Dominion (two times), VCU (two times) and Virginia Tech (one time) along with Big South Conference opponents Radford (three times) and VMI (three times) this season.
Tuesday, April 6The Citadel at Charleston So. 3 p.m.Liberty at Old Dominion 5 p.m.Longwood at VMI 5 p.m.UNC Wilmington at Coastal Carolina 6 p.m.Appalachian St. at High Point 6 p.m.
Wednesday, April 7USC Upstate at Presbyterian 3 p.m.James Madison at VMI 5 p.m.Charleston So. at Furman 6 p.m.Gardner-Webb at Newberry 6 p.m.High Point at Wake Forest 6 p.m.Radford at Virginia 6 p.m.The Citadel at Winthrop 6 p.m.
Big South Conference Game
Closing in on Milestone 1,000 With 998 victories in program history, the Flames enter the week two games shy of the program’s milestone 1,000th win. Liberty posted a 11-14 record in its inaugural sea-son under Al Worthington in 1974. Other notable Liberty wins in the program’s 37-year history: • 100th win - Liberty 9 Hampden-Sydney 2, April 17, 1979 • 200th win - Liberty 5, Azusa Pacifi c 4, NAIA National Tournament, June 4, 1981 • 300th win - Liberty 21, Radford, 0, March 19, 1985 • 500th win - Liberty 9, Campbell 4, April 23, 1994 • 750th win - Liberty 8, Kutztown 4, March 7, 2003 • 900th win - Liberty 13, Radford, 1, April 21, 2007 Other things to note: • The Flames have recorded one 40-win season (1983). • The Flames have won 30 or more games in a season on 14 occasions. In addition, Liberty has posted 30 or more victories in a season each of the last fi ve seasons. • The Flames have had six head coaches during their 37 years - Al Worthington, Bobby Richardson, Johnny Hunton, Dave Pastors, Matt Royer and Jim Toman. Worthington, the program’s fi rst coach, is also its winningest and longest tenured, recording 343 victories over 13 seasons.
Redal Garners Player of the Week Honors Liberty senior outfi elder Curran Redal has been named the Big South Conference Player of the Week for games played March 29-April 4, the league offi ce announced to-day. Redal hit .579 (11-19) with three multi-hit games and a .654 on-base average from the leadoff spot in the Liberty order, helping the Flames post a 4-1 mark, last week. He opened his week with two walks, a hit-by-pitch and an RBI in Liberty’s 9-7 win against George Mason Tuesday, and followed that by reaching base fi ve times in a win at VCU, Wednesday. In the 7-4 win, Redal was 3-3 with a walk, hit-by-pitch, stolen base and run scored. Over the weekend, the Flames center fi elder hit .571 (8-14) in Liberty’s three-game series against High Point at Worthington Stadium. He notched a hit and a run scored the Flames’ 6-4 win in the series opener, and went 7-10 in Saturday’s doubleheader split. In the fi rst game, Redal had the fi rst fi ve-hit game of his Liberty career, and added two hits in the nightcap. For the week, Redal slugged .684, had 13 total bases and walked four times. In addition, he added two doubles, four runs scored and three RBIs. He becomes the second Liberty player to be named the conference’s Player of the Week. Third baseman Tyler Bream was name the Big South Player of the Week for games played Feb. 19-21.
Umberger Joins Big South 200 Ks Club With two strikeouts in his fi rst start of the season on March 17 at Duke, Liberty senior right-hander Dustin Umberger became the 53rd pitcher in Big South Conference history to record 200 or more strikeouts. The senior becomes the fi rst Flame since David Bechtold in 2005 to strike out over 200 batters. Bechtold struck out 241 hitters from 2002-05. Umberger added four strikeouts this past Saturday in an unscheduled start against High Point, moving his career total to 207. Curently, his career strikeout totals ranks sixth on the school’s career strikeout list. The right-hander is fi ve strikeouts away from moving ahead of Randy Tomlin for fi fth place on the list. Tomlin recorded 211 strikeouts for the Flames from 1986-88. For two years, he was Umberger’s pitching coach with the Flames.Mike Brown, who pitched at Liberty from 1994-97, holds the career strikeout mark with 287. Returning from a medical redshirt in 2009, Umberger is 0-1 on the year with a 5.95 ERA in eight appearances this season. He has made four starts.
When the Flames ...
Are at home .................................. 10-4Are away......................................... 6-5Are at a neutral site ........................ 2-0In Day Games............................... 17-9In Night Games............................... 2-0
vs. left-handed starter .................... 7-2vs. right-handed starter................. 11-7
In one-run games .......................... 0-6In two-run games ........................... 3-1In fi ve-plus run games. ................. 10-2Extra innings .................................. 0-3Shutouts ........................................ 1-1
Score fi rst ..................................... 17-5Opponents score fi rst. .................... 1-4Score in the fi rst inning ................. 13-3Opp. scores in fi rst inning .............. 4-2
Lead after the fi rst......................... 12-2Trail after the fi rst ............................ 1-1Are tied after the fi rst. ..................... 5-6
Lead after the second ................... 16-4Trail after the second ...................... 0-1Are tied after the second ................ 2-4
Lead after the third ....................... 16-5Trail after the third .......................... 0-3Are tied after the third ..................... 2-1
Lead after the fourth ..................... 14-4Trail after the fourth ........................ 2-4Are tied after the fourth ................... 2-1
Lead after the fi fth......................... 18-1Trail after the fi fth ............................ 0-5Are tied after the fi fth. ..................... 0-3
Lead after the sixth ....................... 18-3Trail after the sixth .......................... 0-4Are tied after the sixth..................... 0-2
Lead after the seventh .................. 16-3Trail after the seventh ..................... 0-4Are tied after the seventh ............... 1-2
Lead after the eighth..................... 16-3Trail after the eighth ........................ 0-4Are tied after the eighth .................. 0-3
After winning a game .................... 15-4After losing a game......................... 4-4
Out-hit opponent ........................... 16-3Out-hit by opponent ........................ 1-5Hits are tied .................................... 1-1
Hit a home run .............................. 13-2Opponents hit a home run ............. 6-4
Wear red uniforms. ......................... 4-5Wear white uniforms ....................... 7-0Wear blue uniforms ........................ 4-2Wear grey uniforms. ....................... 3-2
Play on Tuesday ............................. 1-2Play on Wednesday ........................ 1-2Play on Thursday ............................ 0-0Play on Friday................................. 6-1Play on Saturday ............................ 6-3Play on Sunday .............................. 4-1
Redal At It Again Liberty outfi elder Curran Redal completed the 2009 season as one of the toughest hitters in the nation to strike out. The junior fi nished the year, striking out once every 21.3 at bats, ranking him ninth among NCAA Division I batters in the country. Redal struck out only 10 times in 213 at bats over 54 games last season. This year, the senior has once again proven to be hard to strike out. Redal has fanned only twice this season, or once per every 52 at bats. The outfi elder ranked as the third toughest batter to strike out in the country in the latest NCAA statistics, released last week.
Teufel Named to Watch List Liberty senior Shawn Teufel has been listed on the 2010 National Pitcher of the Year Watch List. The Flames left-hander is one of 49 pitchers on the initial list released by the College Baseball Foundation, March 23. Teufel has posted a 1.79 ERA with a 5-1 record this season. He is among the na-tional ERA leaders, ranking No. 12 in the latest NCAA National Statistical Summary through games of March 28. In addition, the left-hander ranks second in the Big South in both ERA and wins. Teufel has struck out 37 batters, tied for fi fth in the conference. The senior is also holding opponents to a .205 batting average. The mark ranks fourth in the Big South. This past Friday, the left-hander recorded his fi rst complete game in a 6-4 win over High Point. With the complete game, Teufel has now pitched 45 1/3 innings, which ranks him third in the conference. After yielding one run in the opening inning of Liberty’s season opener at Kennesaw State, Teufel ran off a string of 24 scoreless innings, before giving up a run during the Flames’ 8-4 win over Manhattan, March 19.
Turning Two Liberty has turned 30 double plays this season, and ranked 12th nationally in double plays in the last NCAA Statistical Report for games through March 28. The Flames total is just six shy of last year’s total of 36 over 54 games. In addition, the Liberty Flames turned fi ve ground balls into double plays during their 9-1 win over St. John’s on March 12. The fi ve double plays turned by the Liberty infi eld are the most in a game by the Flames over the past 11 seasons. In 2008, the Flames turned four double plays in a game twice. The contests hap-pened a week apart, as Liberty had four double plays in an 11-5 win over Army, March 8. Seven days later, the Flames recorded four double plays in a 5-0 loss at Southern Miss, March 15. Liberty also turned four double plays this season in a 6-3 victory over Lehigh on Feb. 27 at the Hughes Brothers Challenge in Wilmington, N.C.
Roundtrippers = Wins In 26 out of Liberty’s 33 victories last season, the Flames hit at least one home run in the contest. Liberty had a record of 26-6 when hitting at least one roundtripper in a game. Jim Toman’s squad belted 60 home runs last season. Liberty’s 60 home runs were the most by the Flames since 2002, when Liberty hit 86. The Flames have started this season out in similar fashion, hitting at least one home run in 13 of their 18 victories.
Extras Haven’t Been Kind In the span of a week, the Flames saw three of their contests go to extra innings, their only games to go more than nine frames this season. The span started with St. John’s on March 14 and ended against Manhattan on March 20. Unfortunately for Lib-erty, it ended up on the short end of the score in each of the three games. Last season, the Flames had two games go to extra innings, a 4-3 win at South Ala-bama on Feb. 21 and a 10-9 victory at Gardner-Webb on April 26.
Miscellaneous Stats
MULTIPLE HIT GAMES 2 3 4 5+ Tot19 JIMENEZ, P.J. 8 4 1 - 13
6 REDAL, Curran 9 2 - 1 12
1 WILLIAMS, Matt 9 2 1 - 12
5 BREAM, Tyler 5 3 3 - 11
23 THOMPSON, N. 7 2 - - 9
7 ROBERTSON, M. 5 2 - - 7
10 WIMMER, Trey 4 2 - - 6
14 BREAM, Doug 2 1 - - 3
9 JEFFERSON, Jeff 2 - - - 2
4 TAYLOR, Austin 1 - - - 1
46 SIZEMORE, Justin 1 - - - 1
3 RICHARDSON, Josh 1 - - - 1
TEAM 54 18 5 1 78
MULTIPLE RBI GAMES 2 3 4 5+ Tot 5 BREAM, Tyler - 3 2 1 6
Jimenez Has Big Week Second baseman P.J. Jimenez posted a .526 batting average this past week, raising his season’s average to .363. With four multiple-hit games, including a three-hit outing in the Flames’ 14-8 win in game one of a twinbill, Saturday, the senior now leads the Flames with 13 multiple-hit games. He also scored seven runs to push his team-leading total to 29 and drove in six runs. Teufel Notches Complete Game Liberty left-hander Shawn Teufel went the distance for the fi rst time in his career, as the Flames downed the High Point Panthers, 6-4, Friday night in a Big South Conference contest at Worthington Stadium. Facing the fourth-best hitting team in the country, Teufel held the Panthers in check for most of the contest, running his record to 5-1 on the year. The senior scattered four runs on nine hits in the game. He struck out eight batters and walked two. Liberty took the lead for good in the contest during the bottom of the fi fth inning, sending 11 men to the plate to score fi ve runs on fi ve hits and taking advantage of three Panther errors. Left fi elder Doug Bream had the big blow of frame, launching a fi rst pitch, bases-loaded, double off the wall in right-center fi eld, to give the Flames the lead at 5-3. Catcher Nathan Thompson had three hits, drove in a run and scored a run in the contest.
Bream Backs Giannini’s First Win Liberty third baseman Tyler Bream had three hits, including a home run, and Cam-eron Giannini pitched seven strong innings, as the Liberty Flames defeated the VCU Rams, 7-4, last Wednesday evening at the Diamond. Bream drove in three runs with the trio of hits, including his third home run of the season and his fi rst triple of the year. Center fi elder Curran Redal also had three hits in the contest. He also walked and scored a run for the Flames. Giannini, making his second career start, recorded his fi rst win in a Liberty uniform.The freshman right-hander allowed four runs on four hits over seven innings. He struck out four batters and walked three. Josh Richardson fi nished up for the Flames, pitching two scoreless frames.
Double Delight Liberty fi rst baseman Trey Wimmer drove in fi ve runs with three doubles, propelling the Flames past the George Mason Patriots, 9-7, March 30 at Worthington Stadium. The Liberty fi rst baseman went 3-for-3 with a walk in the contest, scoring two runs. He got things started in the fi rst inning with a two-run double, and later scored in a three-run inning. His second two-base hit in the fi fth inning scored a run, giving the Flames the lead for good. In the seventh, he chased home his fi nal two runs of the contest with his third double of the game. Wimmer’s three doubles tie 13 other Liberty players for most doubles in a game in program history. The last time a Flame had three two-base hits in a contest was on May 21, 2009, when catcher Errol Hollinger had three in a 20-10 win over High Point at the Big South Conference Baseball Championship at McCormick Field in Asheville, N.C. Dane Beakler, the second Liberty pitcher of the contest, evened his record at 1-1 on the year. The reliever yielded one run, while scattering seven hits over 4 1/3 innings. He struck out two and did not walk a batter. J.J. McLeod entered the contest with two outs and retired the one batter he faced with the bases full for his third save of the season. Right fi elder Michael Robertson had three hits in the contest for Liberty and scored three times.
Linza Goes Distance Pitcher Keegan Linza went the distance for the fi rst time in his Liberty career, in a 7-3 Liberty win at UNC Asheville on March 27. With the win, Linza ran his record to a Big South-leading 5-0 on the year. The right-hander was effi cient, allowing three runs, while scattering 12 hits. He struck out six bat-ters and walked two. The junior right-hander was backed by left fi elder Doug Bream and second baseman P.J. Jimenez, who each had three hits in the contest.
2010 Team HighsBattingAt bats: ........................................... 43TWO TIMES - MR: ST. JOHN’S (03-14)Runs scored:.................................. 16 vs DELAWARE STATE (03-06)Hits: ................................................. 16 vs KENNESAW STATE (02-21)RBIs: ............................................... 14TWO TIMES - MR: ST. JOHN’S (03-13)Doubles: ........................................... 5 vs KENNESAW STATE (02-21)Triples: .............................................. 2vs. VCU (03-31)Home runs: ....................................... 3 TWO TIMES - MR: ST. JOHN’S (03-13)Total bases: .................................... 27 TWO TIMES - MR: HIGH POINT (04-03)Walks: ............................................... 9 vs KENNESAW STATE (02-20)Strikeouts: ...................................... 10TWO TIMES - MR: KENNESAW ST. (02-20)Sac hits:............................................ 3vs. ST. JOHN’S (03-13)Sac fl ies: ........................................... 3 vs. DELAWARE STATE (03-07)Stolen bases: ................................... 3 vs KENNESAW STATE (02-19)Hit by pitch: ...................................... 6 vs JAMES MADISON (03-16)Runners LOB: ................................ 15 vs KENNESAW STATE (02-21)Runners LOB: ................................ 15at KENNESAW STATE (02-21)Hit into DP: ....................................... 3TWO TIMES - MR: ST. JOHN’S (03-14)
FieldingErrors ................................................ 3TWO TIMES - MR: ST. JOHN’S (03-13)DPs turned ....................................... 5vs. ST. JOHN’S (03-12)
PitchingRuns allowed: ................................ 13vs. JAMES MADISON (03-16)Earned runs: .................................. 12vs JAMES MADISON (03-16)Walks allowed: ................................. 9 vs. DUKE (03-17)Strikeouts: ...................................... 13TWO TIMES - MR: KENNESAW ST. (02-20)Hits allowed: .................................. 16vs. JAMES MADISON (03-16)Doubles allowed: ............................. 4TWO TIMES - MR: VIRGINIA TECH (03-24)Triples allowed:................................ 1TWO TIMES - MR: JAMES MADISON (03-16)Homers allowed: .............................. 2 vs UNC WILMINGTON (02-28)Wild pitches: .................................... 2vs. KENNESAW ST. (02-21)Hit batters: ........................................ 3vs. KENNESAW STATE (02-19)
MR: - Most Recently
Flames Take Two From Manhattan The Liberty Flames sandwiched two wins around a disappointing setback, March 19-21, in a three-game, weekend series at Worthington Stadium with the Manhattan Jaspers. Behind a strong pitching performance by Shawn Teufel, the Liberty Flames defeated the Manhattan Jaspers, 8-4, March 19 in the opening game of the set. Teufel held the Jas-pers in check throughout the fi rst seven innings of the contest to run his record to 4-0 on the season. The left-hander allowed one run and scattered fi ve hits in the victory, striking out fi ve and walking three. The Jaspers scored their lone run against Teufel in the fourth inning. Shortstop Matt Williams had three hits for the Flames, driving in a run and scoring one. Center fi elder Curran Redal and catcher Nathan Thompson added two hits apiece. Designated hitter Austin Taylor hit his fi rst home run in a Liberty uniform in the fi rst inning. After falling in 10 innings, the next day, 14-13, the Flames took the series behind an-other solid pitching effort on March 21. Right-hander Keegan Linza went 8 1/3 innings, the longest outing for a Liberty pitcher this season, and J.J. McLeod recorded the last two outs by inducing a double play for his second save in an 8-6, Flames win. Linza allowed six runs on fi ve hits during the 8 1/3 inning span. He struck out six and walked three. In the top of the ninth, McLeod was summoned with a runner on and one out, and got the double play to close out the victory for the Flames. Liberty took the lead for good in the contest with four runs on four hits in the fi fth in-ning. The big frame gave the Flames an 8-4 lead. Williams, Redal, second baseman P.J. Jimenez, third baseman Tyler Bream and right fi elder Michael Robertson each had two hits for the balanced offensive attack by the Flames. One of Jimenez’s two hits was his second home run of the season.
Teufel’s Scoreless Streak Ends Senior left-hander Shawn Teufel gave up only his second run of the season March 19. A Manhattan home run in the fourth halted the left-hander’s scoreless innings streak at 24, which spanned over fi ve starts for the senior. Teufel had allowed only one prior run, in the fi rst inning of his season-opening start at Kennesaw State on Feb. 19, and has not allow one since. The streak tops a previous career-high of 10 scoreless innings by the pitcher last season, from April 4-18. The scoreless span left the left-hander fi ve innings shy of the school record of 29, set by Tim Harrell in 2000.
Liberty Takes Two From St. John’s With wins, March 12 and 13, Liberty took two games of its three-game series with the St. John’s Red Storm, at Worthington Stadium. On the 12th, the Flames belted three home runs in a 9-1 win over the Red Storm. In the game, Liberty plated a run in the fi rst inning to stake itself to a lead it never relin-quished. In the second, the Flames extended their lead with the fi rst of their three round trip-pers in the contest. With one out, right fi elder Michael Robertson connected for a solo home run, his second of the year. Later in the inning with two men aboard and two out, second baseman P.J. Jimenez ripped the second home run of the inning, his fi rst of the year. The three-run home run gave Liberty a 5-0. After a rain delay, shortstop Josh Richardson hit a solo home run, his second of the day, for the third Flame homer of the contest. In addition, Liberty turned fi ve ground ball double plays in the contest. Left-hander Shawn Teufel tossed six scoreless innings in the contest to run his record to 3-0 on the year. A day later, after battling back with four runs in the seventh inning to tie the contest at 9-9, Liberty plated fi ve runs in the eighth for a 14-9 victory. Third baseman Tyler Bream and catcher Nathan Thompson hit back-to-back run-scoring doubles to give the Flames an 11-9 lead. Three batters later, fi rst baseman Trey Wimmer blasted a three-run home run, his fi rst of the year, to make it, 14-9, Flames. Chris Roach pitched two scoreless innings of relief to pick up his fi rst victory in a Flames uniform.
2010 NCAA Rankings(As of March 28)
Team (288 Ranked)Category ...................................... Rank ....Actual Batting Average ........................... 118 .......0.303 Scoring. ........................................ 99 .........7.5 Runs ............................................. 104 .......165.0Hits .............................................. 141 .......231.0 Doubles Per Game ..................... 51 .........2.45 Doubles. ....................................... 54 .........54.0 Triples Per Game. ........................ 228 .......0.14 Triples. .......................................... 207 .......3.0 Home Runs Per Game. ............... 137 .......0.82 Home Runs. ................................. 127 .......18.0 Slugging Percentage. ................... 125 .......0.453 Stolen Bases Per Game. ............. 236 .......0.77Stolen Bases ............................... 222 .......17.0 Base on Balls .............................. 118 .......92.0 Sacrifi ce Bunts. ............................ 56 .........17.0 Hit by Pitch. .................................. 9 ..........50.0 Sacrifi ce Flies .............................. 14 .........17.0 Earned Run Average. ................... 30 .........3.8 Strikeouts Per Nine Innings. ........ 118 .......7.3Hits Allowed Per Nine Innings. ..... 14 .........8.33Walks Allowed Per Nine Innings .. 166 .......4.21Fielding Percentage. .................... 30 .........0.974Double Plays Per Game. ............. 11 .........1.23 Double Plays ............................... 12 .........27 WL Pct ......................................... 65 .........0.636
Individual - Top 100Hit by Pitch Per GameNathan Thompson ....................... 56 .........0.38Curran Redal ................................ 67 .........0.36
Hit by PitchNathan Thompson ....................... 52 .........8.0Curran Redal ................................ 52 .........8.0Tyler Bream .................................. 80 .........7.0
Toughest to Strike Out (SO/AB)Curran Redal ................................ 3 ..........42.5
Sacrifi ce Bunts Per GameP.J. Jimenez ................................. 72 .........0.23
Sacrifi ce BuntsP.J. Jimenez ................................. 41 .........5.0
Hits Allowed Per Nine InningsShawn Teufel ................................ 22 .........5.7Steven Evans ............................... 40 .........6.27Keegan Linza ............................... 86 .........7.16
Best Start Since 1995 Liberty started its 2010 season with a 9-0 record. The mark tied the 1995 Flames for the best start to a year in the 36-year history of the program. Liberty tied the mark with a 10-1 win over Delaware State at Worthington Stadium on March 7. The Flames’ start was the best during the three-year tenure of Liberty Head Coach Jim Toman. During Toman’s fi rst season in 2008, the Flames opened the year, 5-1. Liberty also tied the programs’ record for consecutive wins at the NCAA Division I level with the streak. Five other Flames squads have won nine consecutive games (2009, 2008, 2006, 1995, 1985). The 1976 Liberty team holds the school record for consecutive victories with 15.
Flames Open Home Slate with Sweep The weekend of March 5-7, Liberty opened its 2010 home schedule with a sweep of a three-game series with the Delaware State Hornets. The Flames dominated the series, outscoring the Hornets, 34-2, over the span of the three games. Liberty also hit .368 as a team, while Flames pitchers limited Delaware State to a .167 batting average. Catcher Nathan Thompson paced Liberty at the plate in the series, going 5-for-10 (.500) with two home runs, a double, fi ve runs scored and seven RBIs. In Sunday’s fi nal game, the senior catcher hit his team-leading fourth home run, a three-run round trip-per in the fi rst inning, and drove in fi ve of Liberty’s runs in the Flames’ 10-1 win. Center fi elder Curran Redal also hit .500 for Liberty. Flames pitchers had a 0.72 ERA during the three-game series, striking out 24 and walking 10. Starters Keegan Linza and Steven Evans each won their third game of the year in as many outings, while Friday’s starter Shawn Teufel ran his mark to 2-0 on the season.
Starters Strong at Hughes Brothers Strong pitching helped the Flames win each of their three games in the Hughes Brothers Challenge, Feb. 26-28, in Wilmington, N.C. On the 26th, starter Shawn Teufel did not allow a run over six innings in a no deci-sion against Morehead State. The Flames rallied with three, two-out runs in the seventh inning to take a 5-2 win. Catcher Nathan Thompson tied the game with a home run in the frame. Starter Keegan Linza was in control during his seven innings of work, running his mark to 2-0 on the year on Feb. 27. He gave up one run on four hits, as Liberty defeated Lehigh, 6-3. Catcher Jerry Neufang belted his fi rst home run of the year in the contest and shortstop Matt Williams had four of the Flames’ eight hits in the game. On Feb. 28th, backed by a four-hit effort, including a home run, by third baseman Tyler Bream, Steven Evans ran his record to 2-0 on the season in a 12-2 win over UNC Wilmington. Evans allowed two runs on six hits over 6 2/3 innings for the victory. Short-stop Josh Richardson and right fi elder Michael Robertson each also hit roundtrippers for the Flames.
Bream Named Conference Player of the Week Liberty sophomore third baseman Tyler Bream was named as the Big South Confer-ence Choice Hotels Baseball Player of the Week for Feb. 23. Bream hit .700 (7-for-10) in the Flames’ three-game, season-opening sweep of Ken-nesaw State. The third baseman scored six runs and drove in fi ve RBIs during the three-game series, reaching base three times in each contest to record a .688 on-base percentage. The sophomore had two doubles and a towering two-run home run during the weekend to post a 1.200 slugging percentage. Bream opened the season on Feb. 19 by going 3-for-3, including an RBI-double and a two-run homer, while driving in four runs. The following afternoon, the third baseman walked twice, drove in a run with a sacrifi ce fl y and scored twice. In the fi nal game of the series on Feb. 21, Bream fi nished the series by going 4-for-5 with a double and three runs scored to lead the Flames to the sweep.
2010 Big SouthBatting Leaders
(through 4/5)
AverageAverageName, Team AVGName, Team AVG1. Nate Roberts, HPU .4231. Nate Roberts, HPU .4232. Daniel Merck, GWU .4202. Daniel Merck, GWU .4203. Nick Chinners, CSU .4103. Nick Chinners, CSU .4104. Steve Antolik, HPU .4094. Steve Antolik, HPU .4095. Graham Sullivan, VMI .4055. Graham Sullivan, VMI .405
Runs ScoredRuns ScoredName, Team RName, Team R1. Nate Roberts, HPU 441. Nate Roberts, HPU 442. Rico Noel, COAST 372. Rico Noel, COAST 373. Sam Roberts, VMI 343. Sam Roberts, VMI 344. Cory Spangenberg, VMI 334. Cory Spangenberg, VMI 335. Graham Sullivan, VMI 325. Graham Sullivan, VMI 32
HitsHitsName, TeamName, Team1. Nate Chinners, CSU 481. Nate Chinners, CSU 482.2. Graham Sullivan, VMI 47Graham Sullivan, VMI 47 Daniel Mereck, GWU 47 Daniel Mereck, GWU 475. Cory Spangenberg, VMI 455. Cory Spangenberg, VMI 45 Steve Antolik, HPU 45 Steve Antolik, HPU 45 RBIRBIName, TeamName, Team1. Matt Gantner, HPU 381. Matt Gantner, HPU 38 Jose Iglesias, COAST 38 Jose Iglesias, COAST 383. Sam Roberts, VMI 373. Sam Roberts, VMI 374. Graham Sullivan, VMI 364. Graham Sullivan, VMI 365. Nate Roberts, HPU 35 5. Nate Roberts, HPU 35
DoublesDoublesName, TeamName, Team1. Matt Gantner, HPU 171. Matt Gantner, HPU 172. Max Fulginiti, HPU 152. Max Fulginiti, HPU 15 Daniel Merck, GWU 15 Daniel Merck, GWU 154. Rico Noel, COAST 13 4. Rico Noel, COAST 13 Kurt Fulginiti, GWU 13 Kurt Fulginiti, GWU 13 TriplesTriplesName, TeamName, Team1. Matt Hillsinger, RAD 51. Matt Hillsinger, RAD 52. Michael Robertson, LIB 32. Michael Robertson, LIB 33. Six with 23. Six with 2
Home RunsHome RunsName, TeamName, Team1. Jordan Ballard, VMI 121. Jordan Ballard, VMI 122. Nate Roberts, HPU 102. Nate Roberts, HPU 103. Eddie Rohan, WU 93. Eddie Rohan, WU 94. Three with seven 74. Three with seven 7
Stolen BasesStolen BasesName, TeamName, Team1. Rico Noel, CCU 221. Rico Noel, CCU 222. Scott Woodward, COAST 212. Scott Woodward, COAST 213. Cory Spangenberg, VMI 193. Cory Spangenberg, VMI 194. Nate Roberts, HPU 184. Nate Roberts, HPU 185. Reggie Keen, RAD 165. Reggie Keen, RAD 16
The Last Time
Back-to-Back Home RunsBy Liberty: Curran Redal and Doug Bream connected for back-to-back home runs to lead off the fi fth inning, putting Liberty in front 8-4 over Presbyterian at Worthington Stadium, March 29, 2009. The home runs were two of the Flames’ three home runs in the frame, as fi rst baseman Trey Wim-mer later hit a three-run home run. The Flames went on to defeat the Blue Hose, 14-7.
By Opponent: George Mason outfi elder Scott Kreiger and fi rst baseman Justin Bour hit back-to-back home runs in the fourth inning during the Patriots’ 12-0 win over Liberty, April 8, 2009 at Spuhler Field in Fairfax, Va. Kreiger connected for a three-run home run, tying him for the George Mason career RBI record with 201.
Grand Slam Home RunBy Liberty: Trailing 9-5 in the seventh inning, catcher Errol Hollinger drove a 1-0 pitch over the left fi eld at Masters Field in Boiling Springs, N.C., tying the visiting Flames with the Gardner-Webb Bulldogs, April 26, 2009. Liberty was down 9-3 in the contest after six innings. The Flames later won the game in the 11th inning, 10-9, on a lead-off home run by fi rst baseman Trey Wimmer. By Opponent: George Mason’s Justin Bour hit the fi rst of his two home runs in the game, a grand slam in the sixth inning, to push the Patriots past Liberty, 13-0, on March 26, 2008 at Spuhler Field in Fairfax, Va.
No-HitterBy Liberty: Dan Valentin pitched a seven-inning no-hitter against Elon on April 16, 2000, at Worthington Stadium, marking the fi rst no-hitter by a Flames pitcher in 20 years. Valentin walked seven batters and struck out eight in the game to give Liberty a 4-0 win. This game sparked three-consecutive shutouts for Valentin, during a span of 29-consecutive scoreless innings.
By Opponent: UNC Asheville’s Jason Walker pitched a seven-inning no-hitter against the Flames on April 29, 2000, at Greenwood Field in Asheville, N.C. Walker allowed two walks and struck out four, leading the Bulldogs to a 3-0 win. The game marked the only shutout against the Flames on the season and the fi rst no-hitter thrown against Liberty since 1992.
Triple PlayBy Liberty: Liberty has never recorded a triple play.
By Opponent: Leading 6-4 with a runner on fi rst and second to open the fourth inning, Patrick Gaillard hit a line drive which High Point second baseman Dustin Hoffman caught. Hoffman then tagged second and threw quickly to fi rst to complete the triple play. The Flames went on to win the Big South Championship game, 9-7, on May 25, 2006 at Charles Watson Stadium in Conway, S.C.
ShutoutBy Liberty: Starter Keegan Linza pitched six scoreless innings and reliever Zane Bator one inning, as the Liberty Flames pair combined to shut out the Delaware State Hornets in a 16-0, Liberty victory, March 6, 2010 at Worthington Stadium. The Hornets were held to three hits in the contest shortened to seven innings due to a 10- run rule being agreed upon by the teams before the game.
By Opponent: Three Virginia Tech pitchers allowed the Flames just four hits in a 10-0 win, March 23 at English Field in Blacksburg, Va. Starter Manny Martir pitched seven scoreless innings for the Hokies.
2010 Big SouthPitching Leaders
(through 4/5)
ERAName, Team ERAName, Team ERA1. 1. Adam Izokovic, GWU 1.162. Shawn Teufel, LIB 1.722. Shawn Teufel, LIB 1.723. Jason Farley, VMI 1.994. Anthony Meo, COASTAL 2.115. Steven Evans, LIB 2.65
Innings PitchedName, Team IP1. Keegan Linza, LIB 50.12. Cody Wheeler, CCU 46.03. Shawn Teufel, LIB 45.14. Eddie Butler, RAD 42.15. Robert Lake, WU 41.2
AppearancesName, Team APP1. Corey Deighan, CSU 17 Ryan Connolly, COAST 173. Greg Hough, WU 164. Rodney Scruggs, PC 15 Corey Swickle, HPU 15 StrikeoutsName, Team SO1. Cody Wheeler, COASTAL 482. Tyler Thornburg, CSU 473. Adam Lopez, VMI 444. Corey Swickle, HPU 395. Jesse Harmon, PC 37 Anthony Meo, COASTAL 37 Shawn Teufel, LIB 37
SavesName, Team SV 1. Austin Fleet, COAST 5 Mikel Rodenberg, HPU 5 Michael Devine, VMI 54. Jason Patten, RAD 3 Adam Izokovic, GWU 3 J.J. McLeod, LIB 3
Opp. Batting Avg.1. Adam Izokovic, GWU .1202. Steven Evans, LIB .1973. Steven Farley, VMI .2004. Shawn Teufel, LIB .2055. Tyler Thornburg, CSU .211
Team Hitting1. High Point .3522. VMI .3493. Gardner-Webb .3174. Liberty .3145. Coastal Carolina .3066. Winthrop .2917. Charleston Southern .2848. Radford .2709. UNC Asheville .26710. Presbyterian .239
Team Pitching1. Coastal Carolina 3.202. Liberty 4.023. VMI 4.104. Gardner-Webb 4.795. Radford 5.596. Winthrop 5.867. UNC Asheville 6.488. High Point 6.489. Charleston Southern 6.6610. Presbyterian 8.96
Team Fielding1. UNC Asheville .9792. Liberty .9773. Winthrop .9724. Coastal Carolina .9715. VMI .9696. Gardner-Webb .9597. High Point .9588. Radford .8569. Presbyterian .95410. Charleston Southern .951
2010 Big South Team Leaders
The Automated ScoreBookOverall Statistics for LIBERTY (as of Apr 05, 2010)
Player avg gp-gs ab r h 2b 3b hr rbi tb slg% bb hp so gdp ob% sf sh sb-att po a e fld% 1 WILLAMS, Matt . 3 8 4 20-20 86 21 33 11 1 1 9 49 . 5 7 0 6 5 6 2 . 4 4 9 1 3 1-1 22 55 4 . 9 5 1
The Automated ScoreBookGame Results for LIBERTY (as of Apr 05, 2010)
(All games)
Date Opponent Score Inns Overall Big South Pitcher of record Attend Time02-19-10 at Kennesaw State W 10-4 9 1-0-0 0-0-0 TEUFEL, S. (W 1-0) 3 6 1 3:2102-20-10 at Kennesaw State W 11-2 9 2-0-0 0-0-0 LINZA, K. (W 1-0) 4 1 5 2:5402-21-10 at Kennesaw State W 10-4 9 3-0-0 0-0-0 EVANS, S. (W 1-0) 4 4 3 3:0402-26-10 vs Morehead State W 5-2 9 4-0-0 0-0-0 BROWNING, C. (W 1-0) 3 3 4 2:2602-27-10 vs Lehigh W 6-3 9 5-0-0 0-0-0 LINZA, K. (W 2-0) 4 6 2 2:3002-28-10 at UNC WILMINGTON W 12-2 9 6-0-0 0-0-0 EVANS, S. (W 2-0) 3 6 3 2:4403-05-10 DELAWARE STATE W 8-1 9 7-0-0 0-0-0 TEUFEL, S. (W 2-0) 5 2 3 2:1903-06-10 DELAWARE STATE W 16-0 7 8-0-0 0-0-0 LINZA, K. (W 3-0) 1 0 4 7 2:1703-07-10 DELAWARE STATE W 10-1 9 9-0-0 0-0-0 EVANS, S. (W 3-0) 6 1 8 2:1603-09-10 OLD DOMINION L 3-5 9 9-1-0 0-0-0 BROWNING, C. (L 1-1) 6 4 8 2:2203-12-10 ST. JOHN'S W 9-1 9 10-1-0 0-0-0 TEUFEL, S. (W 3-0) 1 1 1 2:4703-13-10 ST. JOHN'S W 14-9 9 11-1-0 0-0-0 ROACH, C. (W 1-0) 2 1 8 3:0903-14-10 ST. JOHN'S L 6-7 (11) 11-2-0 0-0-0 BEAKLER, D. (L 0-1) 2 8 3 3:2603-16-10 at James Madison L 2-13 9 11-3-0 0-0-0 GIANNINI, C. (L 0-1) 6 9 9 2:4603-17-10 at Duke L 2-3 (11) 11-4-0 0-0-0 MCLEOD, J. (L 0-1) 5 2 3:2503-19-10 MANHATTAN W 8-4 9 12-4-0 0-0-0 TEUFEL, S. (W 4-0) 2 2 3 2:3903-20-10 MANHATTAN L 13-14 (10) 12-5-0 0-0-0 RICHARDSONJo (L 0-1) 5 8 3 3:4303-21-10 MANHATTAN W 8-6 9 13-5-0 0-0-0 LINZA, K. (W 4-0) 5 3 6 2:3603-24-10 at Virginia Tech L 0-10 9 13-6-0 0-0-0 UMBERGER, D. (L 0-1) 2 4 9 2:48
* 03-26-10 at UNC Asheville L 4-5 9 13-7-0 0-1-0 TEUFEL, S. (L 4-1) 1 3 5 221* 03-27-10 at UNC Asheville-1 L 1-2 9 13-8-0 0-2-0 EVANS, S. (L 3-2) - 1:47* 03-27-10 at UNC Asheville-2 W 7-3 9 14-8-0 1-2-0 LINZA, K. (W 5-0) 2 3 0 2:4303-30-10 GEORGE MASON W 9-7 9 15-8-0 1-2-0 BEAKLER, D. (W 1-1) 4 1 2 3:1603-31-10 at VCU W 7-4 9 16-8-0 1-2-0 GIANNINI, C. (W 1-1) 1 1 8 2:44
* 04-02-10 HIGH POINT W 6-4 9 17-8-0 2-2-0 TEUFEL, S. (W 5-1) 1 4 2 8 2:51* 04-03-10 HIGH POINT-1 W 14-8 9 18-8-0 3-2-0 LINZA, K. (W 6-0) - 3:02* 04-03-10 HIGH POINT-2 L 4-5 9 18-9-0 3-3-0 BEAKLER, D. (L 1-2) 4 7 3 2:37
() extra inning game
The Automated ScoreBookBatting Leaders for LIBERTY (as of Apr 05, 2010)
(All games)
Hitting minimums - 75% of Games 3.0 TPA/GamePitching minimums - 1.0 IP/Game
