Liberty University
3-1
North Carolina A&T
0-4
Orndorff Hits 2 Home Runs, as No. 21 Liberty Powers Past N.C. A&T 12-2
2/23/2022 9:13:00 PM | Baseball
Center fielder Derek Orndorff had three hits, two home runs, and three RBI, as the No. 21 Liberty Flames cruised by the North Carolina A&T Aggies, 12-2, Wednesday afternoon at Worthington Field at Liberty Baseball Stadium.
In the home opener for the Flames, Orndorff belted his second and third home runs of the season and singled in posting his first multi-RBI game in a Liberty uniform. He also scored three runs. Second baseman Cameron Foster had two hits and drove in three runs in the contest for the Flames.
Liberty, winners of three consecutive games, moves to 3-1 on the season. North Carolina A&T drops to 0-4.
Box Score Highlights
Records: North Carolina A&T (0-4); Liberty (3-1)
Location: Lynchburg, Va. (Worthington Field at Liberty Baseball Stadium)
WP: Garrett Horn (1-0) | LP: Evan DeMurias (0-1)
Scoring Summary
3rd INNING – LIBERTY - Hill doubles, Betts scores, 1-0
3rd INNING – LIBERTY - Gulakowski singles, Hill scores, 2-0
3rd INNING – LIBERTY - Foster doubles, Gulakowski scores, 3-0
4th INNING – LIBERTY - Orndorff homers, 4-0
4th INNING – LIBERTY - Betts grounds out, Lazzaro scores, 5-0
4th INNING – LIBERTY - Foster singles, Hill and Anderson scores (unearned), 7-0
5th INNING – NCA&T - Brantley singles, Brown and Ash score, 7-2
5th INNING – LIBERTY – Keeter grounds out, Orndorff scores, 8-2
5th INNING – LIBERTY – Betts singles, Lazzaro scores, 9-2
5th INNING – LIBERTY – Hill singles, Betts scores, 10-2
6th INNING – LIBERTY – Orndorff homers, Mathieu scores, 12-2
Notable Numbers
- Liberty outhit North Carolina A&T, 12-7. The Aggies committed two errors in the contest.
- Each team left 10 men on base in the game.
- Catcher Gray Betts and third baseman Stephen Hill each had two hits apiece to join Orndorff and Foster with multiple hits in the contest.
- Making his first collegiate start, left-hander Garrett Horn struck out five of the nine men he faced over the first three innings. He did not allow a runner to reach base in recording the win.
- The Flames used seven pitchers in the contest, combining to strike out nine and walk four.
- North Carolina A&T starting pitcher Evan Demurias gave up three runs on five hits over 2 2/3 innings. He struck out three and walked two.
- Left fielder Cameran Brantley and catcher Canyon Brown had two hits apiece for the Aggies.
Turning Point
After a scoreless first two innings, Liberty plated three runs in the third, all with two out. With Betts on second, the Flames got on the scoreboard on a double by Hill. Designated hitter Brady Gulakowski followed with run-scoring for a 2-0 advantage. Foster followed with an RBI double to left field to give Liberty a lead it never relinquished.
Beyond the Box Score
- Liberty has won seven consecutive home openers and is 8-2 in home openers in the 10-year history of Worthington Field at Liberty Baseball Stadium.
- For the second straight year, Liberty defeats North Carolina A&T in its home opener. Last season, the Flames down the Aggies 16-2 at Worthington Field at Liberty Baseball Stadium.
- Horn records the win in his first collegiate start. The freshman left-hander made his collegiate debut in the Flames' 6-4 victory at Florida on Sunday.
- The Liberty bullpen saw its scoreless innings streak come to an end at 15 consecutive innings in the fifth.
- With three hits, Orndorff records his first multi-hit game of the season, while Foster collects the first multi-hit game of his career with two hits.
- Reigning ASUN Player of the Week Betts becomes the first Flame with two multi-hit games this season. The catcher, Orndorff and Foster have at least one hit in each Liberty contest in 2022.
Up Next
Liberty will host the Winthrop Eagles for a three-game weekend series, beginning Friday. Game time at Worthington Field at Liberty Baseball Stadium is scheduled for 4 p.m.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Horn, Garrett (1-0)
L: DEMURIAS, E. (0-1)
Batting:
2B: BROWN, C. 1
RBI: BRANTLEY, C. 2
Base Running:
RUNS: ASH, T. 1 ; BROWN, C. 1
HBP: MAYNARD, C. 1 ; HENNINGS, A. 1 ; ASH, T. 1
PO: SIKES, C. 1
Batting:
2B: Hill, Stephen 1 ; Foster, Cam 1 ; Lazzaro, Jake 1
HR: Orndorff, Derek 2
RBI: Betts, Gray 2 ; Hill, Stephen 2 ; Gulakowski, Brady 1 ; Foster, Cam 3 ; Orndorff, Derek 3 ; Keeter, Nathan 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Betts, Gray 2 ; Anderson, Aaron 1 ; Hill, Stephen 2 ; Gulakowski, Brady 1 ; Mathieu, Logan 1 ; Orndorff, Derek 3 ; Lazzaro, Jake 2
SB: Orndorff, Derek 2 ; Lazzaro, Jake 1
HBP: Majkowski, Bo 1
