Back to a Regional

Liberty finished out the 2026 season with a 41-19 record that was highlighted by a 21-9 CUSA record plus and a 19-6 record in true road games while finishing #32 in the RPI.  It was the Flames first 40 win season since 2021 and the Flames will make their first appearance in a regional since 2021 as well.  Tanner Marsh won the defensive player of the year and the player of the year and Ben Blair was the pitcher of the year.  Zayac, Barone & Harrington all took home 2nd team honors.  Tyler August should have been on the list for my money.  He was our best pitcher the last month of the year and had an incredible performance in the Missiouri State game.    

Liberty ran out of gas in the championship game and fell 10-0 to Jacksonville State to finish 2-2 against the 1st place Gamecocks on the season.  The Flames also went 2-2 against Missiouri State and Louisiana Tech and 2-1 against Dallas Baptist.  Liberty took a big step towards restoring their place as a strong competitor in the College Baseball scene.  Liberty will be the 3 seed and head down to Athens GA to face Boston College in the 1st game of the Athens Regional.  I always look at 3 things when evaluating the difficulty of a regional.  

Many were stirred up with all 3 CUSA teams receiving 3 seeds and Mercer being left out despite finishing #28 in the RPI.  I don't think the public pays attention to who all is on the committee and the impact that they will have on the seedings.  There are all sorts of things that go into these decisions behind closed doors and while RPI is still the leading indicator it's the not the only thing that matters.  In Mercer's case only having 5 Q1 games and going 1-4 in those games was a killer.  The SOCON is a solid mid major league but it's not in the same category as the American, Sunbelt & CUSA which are the best mid major leagues.  If your Mercer you have to try to play every quality mid major and P4 you can find around you and play in some tournaments against quality opposition if you can't get home and homes.  Back to the CUSA talk.  Sometimes, being a 3 seed in a weaker regional is far better than being a 2 and being sent a wagon (see VT and JSU).  Again, look at the representation in the selection committee and see if anything sticks out.  

1 - How far did you have to travel?  In this case it was the 3rd or 4th closest regional possible and very close to the Flames biggest alumni base which is Georgia.  Favorable outcome for the Flames. 

2- Strength of the host team?  Georgia was the class of the SEC and 1 of the best 5 or 6 teams in the Nation but they avoided UCLA and Ga Tech who are the 2 best teams in the nation in most folks opinions.  Wasn't the best outcome but far from the worst.  

3 - Strength of the other 2 teams in regional? Boston College isn't typically known as a top baseball program and Long Island is your average #4 seed.  BC has had a great year but they've stumbled into the post season and LIU doesn't have an ace or tremendous team power that you can sometimes run into as a #4 seed that will cause problems.  I think the Flames fared very well in this regard.  

Game 1 Matchup  

Boston College - Let's start with BC whom the Flames will face Friday at 2 on ESPN +. 

Record : 36-21

Last 10 : 3-7

Neutral site: 4-4

Shared opponents : 10-4 including 2-0 against FIU early in season

Worst Loss : Damaging midweek split to #290 NJIT just before the ACC tourney

Worst Series Loss : Lost 2/3 to Clemson who finished last in ACC near the end of the season

Best Win: Won 1 at #4 UNC

Best Series Win : Won 2/3 at 38-18 Miami 

ACC Ranks:

RPI: 4/16. 

Team Hitting : 13/16 including just 40 homeruns which was far and away the fewest in the ACC (3 teams with 72 next most).  2nd most SB in the ACC at 139.

Team Pitching : 7th/16 - 4.95 team ERA and .265 opp BA.  Decent pitching staff but doesn't blow you away.  458 K's which is the 3rd fewest in the ACC>  

Fielding : 4/16  with a .976 fielding %.  

Key Players : 

Julio Solier - .357 BA 1 HR 31 RBI's & 28/32 in SB's.  (Leadoff Hitter)

Nick Wang - .303 16 HR's and 61 RBI's.   (#2 Hitter)

AJ Caluroso - 4.62 ERA and 71 K's in 76 IP  (Ace, starter vs. Liberty)

Gavin Soares - 2.49 ERA 5 Saves and 31 K's in 25 IP.  (Closer)

Caluroso has given up 6 earned in each of his final 2 starts against GT and Miami to inflate his ERA a bit.  BC will trot him out there and the Flames will see Cesar Gonzales and Gavin Soares as the 2 best relievers.  BC doesn't have the type of arms that will blow the opposition away as evidenced by their team ERA and K numbers.  Offensively, they don't have lot of power but they do sport 5 .300 hitters and they will run at will as they were 2nd in the ACC in SB's.  They back their way into the regionals a bit as they went 3-7 to finish but that does include a sweep at the hands of GT.  However, a split with NJIT and series loss to cellar dweller Clemson don't bode well.  

If the Flames want to have any shot to spring the upset and win the Athens regional it will have to start with a victory against BC.  BC has had a great season and far exceeded the usual expectations.  That being said the Flames won't be outclassed at all as they head into this opening round matchup.  

I'll be back with a look at the Dawgs on Wednesday.