Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Virginia Commonwealth University

#LetsGoVCU
Cooper Benzin Cover
1
Liberty LIBERTY 12-3
2
Winner VCU VCU 7-8
Liberty LIBERTY
12-3
1
Final
2
VCU VCU
7-8
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Liberty LIBERTY 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 3 1
VCU VCU 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 2 5 2

W: Wilson, Nolan (2-0) L: FLUHARTY, Mason (2-1)

Game Recap: Baseball |

BENZIN'S WALK-OFF BUNT SINGLE PUSHES VCU PAST #12 LIBERTY

Score: VCU 2, No. 12 Liberty 1
Location: Richmond, Va. (The Diamond)
Records: VCU 7-8, No. 12 Liberty 12-3
 
The short story: Redshirt sophomore left fielder Cooper Benzin perfectly placed a bunt single to score freshman pinch runner Jesse Robinson from third and give VCU a walk-off win over the nationally ranked Flames.
 
FIRST PITCH
  • The win was VCU's first over a ranked opponent since a 10-7 victory at No. 18 Virginia Tech on March 10, 2021, and its first walk-off win since a 9-8 decision against Davidson on April 17, 2021.
  • The Rams have won four straight games.
  • Graduate right-handed pitcher Nolan Wilson moved to 2-0 on the year after throwing a scoreless ninth inning. Mason Fluharty took the loss for Liberty.
  • Redshirt sophomore third baseman Tyler Locklear went 2-for-3 with a double, a hit-by-pitch, and a run.
  • Redshirt sophomore right-hander Mason Delane started for VCU, throwing 3.0 scoreless and hitless innings, and striking out a pair.
  • Freshman lefty Cade Dressler threw 2.0 scoreless innings of his own, while redshirt sophomore lefty Jack Masloff retired all four batters that he faced.
  • Liberty is ranked No. 12 in the Baseball America Top 25, and No. 14 by D1Baseball.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
  • Neither team recorded a hit until the fourth inning, but a textbook 4-6-3 double play by the Rams in the top of the frame helped keep the game scoreless.
  • VCU stranded a pair of runners in both the fourth and fifth innings, but broke through with the first run of the game in the sixth. Locklear led off with a double to the gap in right center, then moved to third on a sacrifice bunt from redshirt junior right fielder Logan Amiss. Sophomore shortstop Connor Hujsak smacked a single to center to bring home Locklear and open the scoring.
  • Derek Orndorff walked in the top of the seventh, then came around to score and tie the game when Brady Gulakowski doubled and VCU bobbled the ball in the outfield.
  • After the Rams stranded a pair again in the eighth, Liberty put two runners on with no outs in the ninth after a leadoff single and a walk. Wilson then retired the next three Flames on a flyout and two pop-ups.
  • Redshirt sophomore Will Carlone pinch hit to lead off the ninth, and reached on an infield single. Robinson stole second, then advanced to third as redshirt sophomore catcher Nic Ericsson reached on a Liberty throwing error.
  • With runners on the corners and no outs, and the Liberty infield playing in, Benzin guided a bunt past the pitcher to the grass in front of the second baseman as Robinson sprinted home to win the game.
 
 
UP NEXT
The Rams host Quinnipiac for a three-game weekend series from March 18-20 from The Diamond. For more information on VCU Baseball tickets, click here.
 
Print Friendly Version