Liberty baseball unbeaten after 8-6 win over Bulldogs

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Liberty baseball unbeaten after 8-6 win over Bulldogs

Sports

Friday, 26 February 2010 08:43

By Ken Jackson
Sports Writer
After scoring 22 runs in two games this week and romping to its best start in three seasons, you’ll forgive the Liberty Chargers baseball team if they wonder what exactly it is they’re doing.
After coming from behind — way behind — to beat Haines City, 14-13, Tuesday in 5A District 5 play, the Chargers scored in every inning but one to beat St. Cloud, 8-6, Thursday and move to 3-0 in conference play.
Liberty was 5-0 going into Friday’s game at Osceola. For perspective, Coach Scott Birchler’s team won five games in its inaugural season. He said the impressive start shows his team’s newfound maturity.
“In years past, we were young in many ways,” Birchler said. “These kids have come a long way with me and started to believe in themselves. We have a long way to go, but a good start is key and this obviously is the best start in school history.”
Liberty took the lead three separate times, only to see the Bulldogs (0-1) rally back until the Chargers took the lead for good in the bottom of the sixth, when Johnny Maslanka walked, stole second, was balked to third and scored on Ismael Reyes’ grounder to make it 7-6. Jared Murphy, who got the win with five innings pitched, added three RBIs, including an insurance run in the seventh, when he singled home pinch hitter Brent Rhodes, who doubled to lead off. Sophomore Tim Tapia pitched two innings of relief to get the save.
Reyes and Landin Diaz had two hits for Liberty. Will Wager and Jeremy Karchner each rapped RBI doubles for St. Cloud, and Dylan Myers tripled during a three-run third inning that saw the Bulldogs take a short-lived 4-3 lead.
“We got the lead then made some mistakes,” Birchler said. “But these kids don’t hang their heads anymore, they just come back. We got the big hits at the right time.
Gateway and Osceola each picked up their first district wins on Tuesday. The Panthers (2-2) dropped Treasure Coast, 3-1, behind the pitching of Manny Rivera, who has both of GHS’ wins, and two hits and three RBI from Nate Candalaria.
The Kowboys (2-1) throttled Ridge Community, 8-1. Dylan Dillard struck out nine in six innings, and Edwin Rios tripled and drove in a pair of runs.
Also Tuesday, Harmony (2-1) beat First Academy, 5-3. George Chavarria had three hits and drove in two runs.