LYNCHBURG, Va. -- Old Dominion baseball fell to Liberty, 7-6, on Wednesday afternoon after the Flames came back from a three-run deficit heading into the bottom of the seventh at the Liberty Baseball Stadium. The Monarchs moved to 29-19 on the season, while the Flames improved to 23-27 overall.
The Monarchs held a 6-3 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh inning, but the Flames put together a comeback of four runs over the next two innings to take the lead from ODU for the first time in the contest (7-6) in the bottom of the eighth. ODU had one more chance in the top of the ninth to either tie the game or take the lead, but relief pitcher Carson Herndon retired all three batters, including two strikeouts to secure the win for the Flames.
After a scoreless two innings, the Monarchs put three runs up on the board. With the bases loaded and two outs, Kurt Sinnen blasted a three-run double to center field, his 10th double of the season. The Flames cut the ODU lead to 3-1 after scoring on a double play in the bottom of the inning.
ODU increased its lead to 5-1 in the bottom of the fifth inning after scoring two runs on two hits. With two runners on, Sinnen struck again with a single to center field to bring home Nick Walker, while the second run was scored off a fielder’s choice by Connor Myers. The Flames once again countered with a run of their own, but that was all they would get, as ODU headed into the top of the six with a 5-2 edge.
A sacrifice fly by Will Shepherd in the bottom of the 6th inched Liberty within two runs (5-3), but the Monarchs answered with a sacrifice fly of their own from Myers to pull ahead 6-3 in the top of the seventh.
Sinnen led the Monarchs with a 2-for-5 showing, including his 10th double of the year, and 4 RBIs. His RBI mark also tied his career high that he set against FAU on April 1 this season. Four other Monarchs also recorded a hit, while Myers drove in two runs. Morgan Maguire suffered the loss after allowing three runs, which included the go-ahead score, in the eighth.
Two Flames players recorded three hits on the day, while Shepherd led the team with two RBIs. Jon Letchworth earned the win after pitching one inning, while Herndon posted his third save of the year.
The Monarchs are back in action this weekend for their final weekend series of the season against Middle Tennessee, which also marks “senior weekend.” The seniors on the team have helped lead ODU to a 122-98 overall record and a 57-54 mark in league action, two conference tournament appearances and a NCAA Regional berth in 2014. During their time as a Monarch, the team has put together a 77-41 record at the Bud and has won 10 games against nationally ranked teams, including four wins over 2015 NCAA College World Series Champions Virginia.
ODU| 003 020 100 - 6 6 0
LIB| 001 011 13X - 7 12 1
ODU| Jake Josephs, Joey Benitez (4), Culver Lamb (5), Nick Hartman (7), Morgan Maguire (8), Brett Smith (8)
LIB| Jordan Scott, Parker Bean (3), Shane Quarterly (3), Caleb Evans (5), Cody Gamble (5), Jon Letchworth (8), Carson Herndon (9)
Win| Jon Letchworth (1-0)
Loss| Morgan Maguire (2-1)
Save| Carson Herndon (3)
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