No. 1 Liberty continued their winning ways, with a convincing 7-2 victory over Kearney on Thursday afternoon.  An effective outing by starting pitcher Spencer Schwandt combined with timely hitting and a long home run off the bat of C Todd Hinkley set the tone for the Blue Jays. 

Liberty would get the scoring started in the top of the second inning, with 1B Tyler Uhlman and 2B Andy Reith hitting consecutive singles. DH Rob Henrichs would load the bases after being hit by a pitch, bringing up RF Brady Newland, who would drive in Uhlman with a sacrifice fly to left field, and advancing the baserunners to second and third. LF Wes Jones would come through with a two RBI single to left center, brining home Reith and Henrichs, giving Liberty a 3-0 lead.

In the bottom half of the inning, Kearney would plate a run. DH Austin Ramsey lined a one out single and came around score on a two out RBI triple off the bat of 2B Tanner Wendel to deep right center.

Liberty would tack on three more runs in the top of the fifth.  SS Nate Winfery led the frame off with a single. C Todd Hinkley would deliver the big blow of the game, a line drive two run home run over the center field fence into the wind.  The next batter, CF Lucas Norton would follow with a double, steal third and come around to score on a throwing error, extending Liberty’s lead to 6-1. Hinkley finished the game three for four with two RBIs.

“I was telling some of the guys that this was the best feeling ball I have had come off the bat this year. I have hit a couple of other homeruns, but none felt that solid,” said Hinkley on his homerun.

Kearney would put their final run on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth. Starting pitcher Ryan Wadkins led the inning off with a single. With Wadkins on the move, 1B Alec Witt would drive a ball to left center, scoring Wadkins from first.

In the top of the seventh, Liberty would add an insurance run with Hinkley collecting his third hit of the game, a single to right center. Pinch runner Nick Herzog would advance to third on a single by Reith and come around to score Liberty’s last run on a throwing error by the catcher, who was trying to pick Hertzog off third.

Liberty starting pitcher Spencer Schwandt was effective in his complete game win, scattering six hits and striking out seven batters.

“Spencer is our ace, he is one of those guys who is always right around the plate, works fast and has good rhythm on the mound, keeping our defense in rhythm. Every time he goes out there, he sets the tone for us,” said Liberty head coach Kirk Bragg on Schwandt’s performance.

Nathan Winfrey, Taylor Uhlmann, Andy Rieth, and Lucas Norton each had two hits a piece for Liberty

With the win, Liberty improves to 12-1 on the season.