LYNCHBURG, Va. – Bethune-Cookman walked back-to-back players and allowed the game-winning single up the middle in the 10th inning – all with two outs, as Liberty escaped with a 4-3 decision over the Wildcats on Saturday at Liberty Baseball Stadium.
 
After retiring the first two men to meet him, BCU freshman Isaak Gutierrez was unable to keep the momentum going as he walked back-to-back players to put the winning run in scoring position. It took just one pitch from Sammy Taormina to deliver the game winner with a single right back up the middle to score Jake Barbee from second.
 
For the second game in a row, it was a pitcher's duel between a pair of right-handers from BCU and Liberty, respectfully.
 
However, Liberty (15-10) got on the board first in the game with a run in the bottom of the seventh inning.
 
Bethune-Cookman (19-10) starting pitcher Tyler Norris was nearly untouchable until that point in the game. In the process, the Wildcats received a quality start from their starter for the third time in as many outings, following the starts from Tyler Krull (at UNF) and Anthony Maldonado a night prior in the series opener against the Flames.
 
Flames designated hitter Eric Grabowski led things off with a bunt single down the third base line, followed by a single into right from the game's eventual hero Taormina, advancing Grabowski to third. The runner would score on a double play ground ball, as the Cats allowed Grabowski to cross in turn for securing two outs.
 
With Liberty leading 1-0 heading into the top of the eighth, the bats finally got hot for the Maroon and Gold.
 
Jameel Edney was hit by a pitch, and it was Adonis Lao placing a single to left to put the tying run into scoring position at second base with one away. Both runners would advance up a bag off the end of a groundout from designated hitter Trent Nash. That set the stage for catcher Chase DeBonis to deliver a two-out, two-run single through the left side, crossing both runners for the 2-1 BCU lead.
 
However, Liberty would answer in the bottom of the eighth when centerfielder D.J. Artis registered his third home run of the year with a two-out solo shot to right field off the pitch from Wildcats reliever Alexis Herrera.
 
That tied the game at 2-2.
 
BCU stepped back out in front, 3-2 in the top of the ninth when Edney scored second baseman Nate Sterijevski from third on a single up the middle. Sterijevski reached at the beginning of the inning with a double to right field.
 
Again, it would be the Flames answering to tie the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the frame.
 
The first two men reached safely for Liberty when Grabowski walked and Taormina was hit by a pitch from reliever Joseph Calamita. That spawned BCU head coach Jason Beverlin to go to the bullpen for closer Ivan Coutinho. Immediately for the Flames, second baseman Andrew Kowalo reached on an error by Edney on the sacrifice bunt attempt. Coutinho, a junior from Winter Haven, Florida, got the next three outs in order, but one came via a sacrifice fly from Josh Barrick to plate pinch runner Jonathan Embry from third as the tying run.
 
The loss went to Gutierrez, dropping him at 1-2 on the year. In fact, both of his losses have come in extra innings, as he pitched just the 10th frame in Saturday's setback. Failing to factor into the decision was Norris, throwing seven innings, allowing just one run on three hits scattered, three walks and three strikeouts.
 
The win went to Zander Clouse of Liberty, moving him to 2-1 for the year. He pitched two innings out of the pen, allowing one run on two hits, walking one and striking out two. Garret Price did not factor into the decision as a starter for the Flames, throwing five good innings with just three hits allowed, one walk and five strikeouts.
 
The Wildcats were led offensively by three players with two hits apiece, including Lao with a pair of singles and a run scored. Demetrius Sims provided two hits from the leadoff spot, and Rodriguez collected a pair of hits – one coming by way of his 10th double of the campaign.
 
The two teams will meet for the rubber game of the series Sunday at 1 p.m., back at Liberty Baseball Stadium
 
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