LIBERTY/#20 FGCU RECAP

Fort Myers, FL- #20 FGCU (16-4, 2-1 ASUN) won the series, taking two out of three games vs Liberty University (8-11, 1-2 ASUN), this weekend, from Swanson Stadium.

Game 1: Liberty 9, #20 FGCU 7

W-Garrett Horn (2-1)

5.0 IP, H, 5 K, 4 BB

L-Alejandro Valiente (1-1)

4.0 IP, 4 H, 5 R (0 ER), 2 K, 2 BB

S-Cole Hertzler (2)

2.1 IP, 4 K

Outstanding Players (LU):

Brayden Horton 3/4, 4 RBI’s

Three Hillier 1/5, R, 2 RBI’s

Jake Lazzaro 1/3, 2 RBI’s

Outstanding Players (#20 FGCU);

Brian Ellis 2/3, 3 RBI’s

Edrick Felix 2/5, R, 2 RBI’s

Stephen Wilmer 1/4, R, 2 RBI’s

Overview:

In game one of the series, Liberty carried an 8-0 lead into the bottom of the 7th, when #20 FGCU flipped the script on the Flames, putting up a 7 run rally. Brian Ellis (3 RBI’s), Edrick Felix (2 RBI’s), and Stephen Wilmer (2 RBI’s) provided the RBI’s and it set the tone for the rest of the series. Brayden Horton led the Flames with 4 RBI’s in the first game of the series. Garrett Horn (2-1) dominated the Eagles, only allowing one hit through 5 innings pitched, striking out 5 batters, while walking 4 batters. Alejandro Valiente (1-1) took a bad luck loss, allowing 5 unearned runs through 4 innings pitched.

Game 2: #20 FGCU 11, Liberty 8

W-Max Rippl (2-0)

1.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R (ALL ER), 3 BB

L-Nick Moran (1-2)

2.2 IP, 5 H, 5 R (ALL ER), K, 2 BB

S-LJ McDonough (4)

IP, K

Outstanding Players (LU):

Three Hillier 2/5, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI’s

Camden Troyer 3/5, R, 2 RBI’s

Jalen Guy 2/4, 2 RBI’s

Outstanding Players (#20 FGCU):

Alejandro Figueredo 4/4, 2 R, 2 H, 5 RBI’s

Brian Ellis 4/5, 3 R, HR, 3 RBI’s

Edrick Felix 2/4, 2 R, HR, RBI

Overview:

#20 FGCU responded big after dropping the first game of the series vs Liberty. Liberty took a 3-0 lead into the bottom of the 1st, courtesy of RBI’s from Hillier, and Guy. Alejandro Figueredo hit a solo home run in the bottom of the 1st to bring FGCU back within 2 runs. Edrick Felix continued his hot hitting with a solo home run in the bottom of the 2nd to make it a 3-2 game. The Eagles took the lead for good in the bottom of the 3rd, with a 3 run shot from Figgy, his 2nd home run of the game. Brian Ellis put the game out of reach, with a 2 run home run of his own, to extend FGCU’s lead to 7 runs (11-4). The Eagles offense has not been a problem all season, and it was great to see the bats stay hot vs the Flames.

Game 3: #20 FGCU 7, Liberty 2

W-Justin Henschel (2-0)

5.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R (ALL ER), 2 K, 4 BB

L-Mikey Tepper (0-3)

3.2 IP, 5 H, 5 R (ALL ER), 5 K, 3 BB

S-LJ McDonough (5)

3.1 IP, 4 H, 5 K

Outstanding Players (LU):

Three Hillier 1/4, RBI

Brayden Horton 1/3, R, HR, RBI

Outstanding Players (#20 FGCU):

Alejandro Figueredo 2/5, 2 RBI’s

Harrison Povey 2/4, 2 R, RBI

Alejandro Rodriguez 1/4, RBI

Overview:

#20 FGCU took the series, and freshman Justin Henschel (2-0), did enough lasting 5.2 innings, allowing 2 ER, while striking out 2, and walking 4 Flames. Closer LJ McDonough was dominant, and in 3.1 innings pitched allowed 4 hits, while striking out 5 Flames, earning his 5th save of the year. The offense was carried by Alejandro Figueredo, who had a team high 2 RBI’s in the game. Figgy’s clutch hit was key in Sunday’s win, and in ASUN play, stacking series wins like FGCU did this weekend, only benefits the team, in this grind of a season. Hillier and Horton drove in the runs for the Flames, and for Horton it was his first career home run for Liberty, a lone bright spot for Liberty this weekend.

What’s Next:

#20 FGCU (16-4) faces USF (8-13) Tuesday night at 6:30 PM, from Swanson Stadium.