RUSTON – The Diamond 'Dogs (23-14, 8-3 CUSA) are slated to host Conference USA opponent Liberty Flames (23-14, 5-7 CUSA) for a three-game Easter weekend series at the Love Shack. First pitch for the series opener is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT on Thursday, April 17 with Game 2 on April 18 starting at 4 p.m. CT. The series finale is set for 1 p.m. CT on Saturday, April 19.
 
Series Information
Date: Apr. 17-19, 2025
Venue: J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park (Ruston, La.)
Time: 6 p.m. CT (Thursday) | 4 p.m. CT (Friday) | 1 p.m. CT (Saturday)
Watch: ESPN+
Radio: Sportstalk 97.7 FM / LA Tech Athletics app
Stats: LATechSports.com/stats
Weekend Rotation: LHP Luke Cooley (Friday) | RHP Brooks Roberson (Saturday) | TBA (Sunday)
 
Series History
Series Record: 5-1 vs. Liberty
Last Meeting: May 25, 2024 (W, 6-5)
Streak: W2
 
The Bulldogs and the Flames are set for their seventh, eighth and ninth all-time meetings after clashing for the first time in both programs' history in the 2024 season. The 'Dogs swept the series in Lynchburg, Virginia to conclude the regular season and clinch the regular season CUSA Conference Championship.
 
The Flames topped LA Tech in the second game of the CUSA Tournament at the Love Shack last year, but the 'Dogs defeated Liberty in back-to-back games to clinch a spot in the championship game.
 
The 'Dogs are coming off a midweek loss at ULM following a series win on the road at Middle Tennessee. Sebastian Mexico still leads the team with a .340 batting average on the season and is slashing an impressive .405/.811/.415 in CUSA play. Michael Ballard leads the team with six home runs on the year while Mexico, Trey Hawsey and Garrison Berkley each have a team-high three homers in conference contests.
 
Previewing the Flames
Liberty enters the weekend with a 23-14 overall record and are 5-7 in league play. The Flames are coming off a midweek road win at Virginia after suffering a weekend sweep to Western Kentucky at home.
 
The Flames are led by head coach Bradley LeCroy, who is in his first year at the helm of the Liberty baseball game. LeCroy arrived the Lynchburg after spending his first two years as a head coach at VCU, where he led the Rams to a 38-23 record in 2024 as well as finishing second in the Atlantic 10 Conference standings. LeCroy then led VCU to a conference tournament championship and an automatic big to an NCAA Regional.
 
Jackson Sorenson, Nick Barone and Camden Troyer have been the top run producers in the Flames lineup this year as the only three players with at least 30 RBI this year. Sorenson leads the team with 11 homers while Barone and Troyer are each tied with seven. Barone and Sorenson are tied for the team lead with 27 RBI apiece, and Callum Early leads the team with a .323 batting average and is the only Flame batting above .300 thus far.
 
Dylan Mathiesen is projected to start on the mound for Liberty in Thursday's series opener. The 5-foot 10-inch righty has been one of the more consistent starters for the Flames, having started in all 12 of his pitching appearances this year. He carries a 3.94 ERA through 48 innings with a team-high 67 strikeouts. He has allowed 21 earned runs on 41 hits and 20 walks while holding opposing batters to a combined .227 batting average.
 
Jake Potts will make his fourth start in his ninth appearance for Friday's outing, holding a 5.52 ERA through just 14 2/3 innings and fanning 12 batters. Ben Blair will start in the series finale making his 10th start in as many appearances. He currently has the best ERA on the team at 2.77 through 48 2/3 innings with 56 strikeouts, second for Liberty's pitching staff behind Mathiesen. He has allowed just 15 earned runs on 39 hits and 19 walks while holding opponents to a .217 combined batting average.

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