LYNCHBURG, Virginia – Marist baseball completed a comeback against Liberty with the tying run on second in the eighth, but the Flames escaped the inning as two Red Foxes were left stranded.

Robbie Armitage and Niko Amory both connected for extra bases, while starter Alex Pansini struck out six in 6.2 innings on the rubber.
 

SUMMARY

• The Red Foxes jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the second with consecutive hits from Niko Amory and Colin Mackle. Amory drove in Gene Napolitano, and Mackle sent Amory home.
• The Flames responded with a sacrifice-fly in the bottom of the inning to trim Marist's lead in half.
• Liberty struck again in the the fourth with a homer from Garrett Wilkinson, and then once more in the seventh with a long ball from Jaylen Guy.
• The Red Foxes answered in the eighth with a sac-fly by Reece Armitage to score his brother Robbie. Gene Napolitano and Matt Rubayo advanced to first and second with two outs to give Marist a chance, but the Flames made the final putout and held their 4-3 lead for the eventual victory.

NOTES

• Robbie Armitage (1-3, 2B) and Niko Amory (1-3, 2B, RBI) both had quality days at the plate to pace the Red Foxes.
• Brian Hart, Gene Napolitano, Matt Rubayo and Colin Mackle each connected for hits against Liberty.
• Liberty starter Mason Meyer was tagged for five hits and two runs in 5.0 innings.

UP NEXT

The Red Foxes and Flames rematch on Saturday at 2 p.m.