LYNCHBURG, Va. A two-run eighth inning double by Liberty first baseman Alex Close propelled the Flames past the Penn State Nittany Lions, 3-2, in the final game of the Liberty Invitational, Sunday afternoon at Liberty Baseball Stadium. With the victory, Liberty runs its winning streak to a season-high six straight games.

With the score tied 1-1 in the bottom of the eighth, Liberty right fielder Tray Roberts singled and designated hitter Ashton Perritt was hit by pitch to open the inning. After both runners moved into the scoring position on a ground out by third baseman Sammy Taormina, Close lined a one-out double off the right field wall, plating both runners for a 3-1 lead the Flames.

In the ninth, Penn State rallied to bring the go-ahead run to bat. The Nittany Lions loaded the bases with two one-out singles and a Liberty fielding error. After getting the next batter to fly out to make it, 3-2, Flames reliever Shawn Clowers retired the next batter to close out the Liberty win.

Flames starting pitcher Jared Lyons runs his record to 2-0 on the season. The left-hander allowed one run on six hits over eight innings. He struck out five and walked one batter.

Clowers earns his first save of the year. Pitching the ninth, he gave up an unearned run on two hits.

Liberty improves to 12-6 overall. The Flames won all four of their games in the Liberty Invitational, defeating both Western Carolina and Penn State twice, this weekend. In four Liberty Invitationals (2011-15), the Flames have now posted a 15-1 mark. In addition, the Flames close out a seven-game home-stand with a 6-1 ledge. Penn State drops to 1-13.

The visiting Nittany Lions plated the first run of the contest in their opening at bats. Leading off the game, second baseman Taylor Skerpon singled and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Greg Guers. After advancing on a wild pitch, Skerpon scored on a one-out single by first baseman J.J. White for a 1-0 lead.

The first inning run was all that Lyons allowed, as he held the Nittany Lions check over the next seven inning.

Meanwhile, Penn State pitching held the Flames scoreless through the first six innings. After going in order in the first, Liberty left runners in scoring position in every inning from the second to sixth. The Flames left 11 men on base, including seven in scoring position.

Liberty tied the contest in the seventh, benefitting from two Penn State errors. After Nittany Lions third baseman Christian Helsel dropped a foul ball, Close singled sharply past the third baseman to open the home half of the inning. Three batters later, catcher Becker Sankey walked, advancing Close to second base. Second baseman Nick Salisbury followed with a pop fly into shallow left field, which Penn State shortstop Jim Haley dropped, allowing Close to score and knot the game at 1-1.

Excerpt from:

Liberty Wins its 6th in a Row