FROM PRESS RELEASE
Norfolk, Va. – The Liberty Flames led from start to finish in a 5-1 non-conference victory over the Norfolk State Spartans, Wednesday afternoon, at Marty Mller Field.
With the victory, the Flames run their record to 4-0 on the season. Meanwhile, the Spartans drop their first contest of the year and fall to 2-1.
Liberty jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning. Aaron Grijalva (Sr., 1B, Redlands, Calif.) looped a double into the right-field corner to lead off the frame. A batter later, Doug Bream (Fr., LF, Elizabethtown, Pa.) ripped a singled up the middle to plate Grijalva with the Flames’ first run of the afternoon.
Head coach Jim Toman’s sqaud added to its lead in its next at bat. After loading the bases with two outs, Bream dropped a single in front of the left fielder, cashing in two Flames to up the team’s advantage to 3-0 after three frames.
Liberty extended its lead in the sixth inning. Second baseman Kenneth Negron (Jr., Kingwood, Texas) singled to right-center with the bases loaded and one out to make it 4-0, in favor of the visiting Flames. Catcher Errol Hollinger (Jr., Upland, Calif.) followed with a RBI fielder’s choice ground ball to bring home another run for a 5-0 lead.
Norfolk State broke through for its lone run of the contest in the eighth inning. Shortstop Moriba George walked to lead off the frame and scored on a two-out RBI single by designated hitter John Boyd.
Liberty starter Andrew Wilson (Jr., RHP, Cary, N.C.) earned his first win of the young season. The right-hander, the first of five pitchers for the Flames in the contest, scattered five hits over five scoreless frames, walking one.
Spartan starter Quinn Bright, one of four Norfolk State hurlers to see time in the game, took the loss in his first appearance of the year. Bright allowed five runs in 5 1/3 innings, striking out four and walking four.
Bream paced Liberty with 3 RBIs. The left-fielder was joined by Negron with two hits each. No Spartans had more than one hit.
After four games away from Lynchburg to open the 2008 campaign, the Flames host the Rider Broncs in a three-game series at Worthington Stadium, beginning with the home opener on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
