Week 2 of the Fall scrimmages has come and gone.  The weather has been spectacular in Southwest Virginia the last couple weeks and looks like at least 1 more week of good weather ahead according to the forecast.  Before we get into some updates on the scrimmages I'll hit on some program notes from the last couple weeks as a lot has transpired.  

  • D1 Baseball completed it's annual program rankings which listed Liberty at number 50.  I think this is still probably a hair low but the Flames have continued to climb the rankings the last 3 or 4 years.  Other programs of note included Southern Miss at 26th whom the Flames will open the season against, future conference foe Dallas Baptist at 27th,  Coastal at 30th, Campbell at 46th, Louisiana Tech at 47th, VT at 48th, ODU at 64th, UNCW at 66th, VCU at 67th, and Stetson at 76th.  As I noted in the Summer the new CUSA will feature 3 consistent top 50 programs in La Tech, DBU & Liberty.  
  • It's been widely reported that Kennesaw State will be invited to be the 10th member of the new CUSA as well.  From a baseball perspective this is a good add that I think has potential in all sports to be a great add.  The move will reportedly force KSU to upgrade the football and baseball facilities which sorely need it.  It still sounds like there may be a desire to reach 12 full members of CUSA by 2024 depending on who you talk to but there hasn't been a lot of smoke around who the remaining members may be.  Eastern Kentucky was one school that had been mentioned a lot in the past but I haven't heard much lately on the Colonels.  
  • The locker rooms received an update as Liberty Baseball's twitter account tweeted a few pics that feature very high end hardwood personalized lockers and a great lit logo in the center.  Facilities are always an arm race and Liberty is right there with what needs to be done from a facilities  standpoint.  It's hard to believe the stadium is almost 10 years old.  It seemed like a pipe dream to ever have a facility like this and now we're to the point where it needs it's first refresh.  
  • Former Flame Trevor Delaite has been named the Director of Pitcher Development.  It sounds like he will assist with growth plans and practice and training within the program as well as some analytics and opponent scouting.  He had an incredible 2021 in his 1 year with the Flames.  It also sounds like Ryan Cordell will be back and Derek Orndorff may be staying with the program in a volunteer strength and conditioning role.  There have been a number of recent and older players that have come back and hung around the program the last few years.  Culture appears to be at an all time high and that's never mattered more. 
  • The Flames will travel to Wilmington NC to face UNCW at 12 pm this Saturday.  The scrimmage is expected to go anywhere from 12-16 innings.  This should be a good barometer for the Flames as the Seahawks are expected to be a conference favorite.  
  • Liberty will have 2 more brief scrimmages this week before hitting the road Saturday for the showdown with UNCW.  

On to last weekend's scrimmages. 
  • Trey Carter pitched 3 scoreless innings on Friday.  He sat 90-94 and featured a solid 2 seamer and slider.  Lots of weak contact. 
  • Garret Gainey looked good again in 3 IP.  He allowed 1 run while scattering a few hits .  Gainey continues to look poised to contend for one of the 4 starting spots.  
  • Trey Cooper is the talented LHP that transferred in from NC State and dominated the wood bat league this summer.  Cooper had 3 scoreless IP with 3 K's.  Cooper is another pitcher to keep an eye on to help fill out the rotation behind Horn.  
  • Nick Willard is back from injury and looked good in 3 IP with 2 k's and 1 ER.  He was 89-91.  His slider is a key pitch for him.  Willard has flashed but injuries have derailed his first couple years.  He's another option that can give the Flames a starter or long reliever look.  
  • Mikey Tepper had 3 IP as well and showed flashes of a 3 pitch mix.  He was up to 95 mph on the fastball. 
  • Talor Grubbs is a true freshman that threw 3 IP with 1 ER including 2 hits and he was up to 91 MPH.  
Offensively, some new names emerged this week and some familiar faces. 
  • Dylan Edmunds is a Juco 2B that had 2 hits including a double. 
  • Andrew Jenner is a Winthrop 1B/DH transfer that had a double.  
  • Freshman Jack Wheatley had a double. 
  • Simmons, Hillier & Keeter all had 2 hits.  
  • Guy had a triple
  • Betts had 3 hits including a double. 
  • Lazzaro had 4 hits including a double.  
  • Will Stewart hit his 2nd HR of the scrimmages.  He looks like he could factor in the outfield mix. 


      Brent 

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