Liberty is headed to their second straight appearance in the Final Four after defeating a resilient Rockhurst team, who put up a tough fight and pulled some upsets en route to the quarterfinal round. With the wind swirling around 3&2 Park the pitching of Liberty ace Spencer Schwandt and a clutch homerun by CF Lucas Norton (right) was just enough to hold off Rockhurst and come out on top with a 4-2 victory.

As they have done so many times this season, the Liberty Blue Jays were able to get ahead early and play tough defense when it counted. The Blue Jays jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the second inning. 

1B Tyler Uhlman led the second inning off with an opposite field double down the left field line and would advance to third on a bunt single by 3B Andy Reith. Liberty would load the bases after DH Nathan Volkman was hit by a pitch.  Number nine hitter, RF Brady Newland, hit into a fielder’s choice ground out, driving in Ulhman and advance runners to second an third.  The next batter, LF Wes Jines hit a scorching ground ball that the Rockhurst 2B Todd Czinge couldn’t handle, allowing Reith to cross the plate with the second run of the frame.

Rockhurst scraped their way back scoring a run in the third and a run in the fourth, tying the game at 2-2.

Rockhurst LF Victor Brancato led the bottom of the third inning, pulling a fastball down the left field line for a double and would advance to third on a sacrifice bunt by 2B Todd Czinge.  CF Jack Benninghoff followed with a sacrifice fly, driving in Brancato, trimming the lead to 2-1.

Once again, a double turned into a run for Rockhurst in the fourth inning, with DH Nick Sweat hit a hard line drive to left center for a one out double. After RF Austin Ritter moved Sweatt over to third on a ground out, C Pete Sorrentino smashed a triple to left center, scoring Sweatt and tying the game at 2-2.

Liberty would go ahead for good in the fifth inning, when Norton led the inning off with a homerun to deep left field, and what proved to be the game winner.

“Once I hit it I knew it was gone,” said Norton on the big hit. “I was just trying to get something going for us in the sixth inning, our money inning. Luckily enough I connected and hit it over the fence."

Liberty tacked on an insurance run in the top of the seventh when SS Nathan Winfrey drove in Jones, putting Liberty up 4-2 

“This was a quarterfinal game, one of those game where the ball could bounce any way and pitchers compete,” said Liberty head coach Kirk Bragg. “Both sides did a great job and when you get into this situation, you want to have that one run and one opportunity and we had a few opportunities late and got it done. "

Swchandt put the icing on the cake, with the complete game win, ending with 1B Uhlmann catching a pop up for the last out and the customary dog pile on the first base line. Schwandt scattered six hits and struck out seven, while having complete control of the game from start to finish 

“Spencer is our man, he was going to be out there regardless of innings, he is a competitor, and did a great job for us. Every time he takes the mound everyone is ready to play defense,” said Bragg.

Liberty will play Rockwood Summit at 4:00 on Friday in the semi-finals, and will go into the Final Four as the favorite to come home with a Class Four state championship.