Box Score

RICHMOND, Ky. – Charlie Ludwick hit three home runs, including a two-run shot in the seventh that proved to be the difference, as Eastern Kentucky University beat Liberty, 8-7, in the ASUN Conference series opener on Friday at Earle Combs Stadium.
 
The Colonels (27-24, 14-11 ASUN) won for the eighth straight time and moved into sole possession of fifth place in the ASUN standings.  The top eight teams advance to the postseason conference tournament.
 
EKU trailed 7-6 after Todd Hudson hit a solo home run in the top of the seventh to break a 6-6 tie for Liberty.  With two outs and Miguel Larreal on first in the bottom half of the inning, Ludwick hit his third homer of the game to put the home team on top by one. 
 
The Colonels have now hit a home run in 12 straight games and have hit 48 in their last 21 games.
 
The Flames got the tying run on base with two outs in the eighth before Joe Clancy came on and got a strikeout to end the threat.  Clancy then retired the side in order in the ninth, including two more strikeouts, to earn his third save of the season.
 
Ludwick staked the Colonels to a 1-0 lead when he started the second inning with a home run over the wall in left center. 
 
A big six-run third inning for the Flames was fueled by five walks and a hit batter.  Back-to-back walks after a lead-off single loaded the bases.  Cam Foster tied it with a sacrifice fly.  Gray Betts followed with a two-run triple.  Three Hiller's single up the middle made it 4-1.  Two more runs scored on a bases loaded hit batter and a bases loaded walk.
 
With one out and the bases empty in the bottom of the third inning, Logan Thomason hit his 14th home run of the season to get the home team within four, 6-2.
 
The Colonels tied it up with four runs in the fifth.  With two outs and two on, Will King doubled to right field to score both runs.  Ludwick then deposited the first pitch he saw over the left field wall for his second home run of the game, tying it 6-6.
 
Ludwick finished the night 3-for-4 with three runs and five RBIs.  King went 1-for-5 with a run and two driven in.  Thomason had a 1-for-3 game with two walks, two runs and an RBI.
 
In the longest outing of his EKU career, Chris Haman provided two and one-third innings of scoreless relief with three strikeouts.  Quinton Hall (1-0) earned the win after pitching one and one third innings without allowing a hit or a run.
 
Betts finished 2-for-4 with a walk, a run and two RBIs for Liberty (22-26, 12-13 ASUN).
 
Game two of the series will be Saturday at 6 p.m.  Saturday will be Fan Appreciation Day, Presented By Richmond Centre Chick-Fil-A.  Discounted tickets will be offered for fans and there will be a prize give away after each inning.  The fourth and final trading card give away is also scheduled for Saturday.