Jack Toomey thought he had delivered the game-winning hit for Boston College.
Toomey launched a solo home run over the short porch in right field in the eighth inning to give the Eagles a 3-2 lead over Liberty in the opening game of the Athens Regional on Friday. The teams had been tied after both starting pitchers turned in strong seven-inning performances.
But Liberty responded in the ninth inning to rally for a 4-3 victory.
Shortstop Tanner Marsh opened the inning with a single to center field before designated hitter Riley DeCandido doubled to center. The sinking fly ball nearly dropped in front of the outfielder, but DeCandido never slowed and hustled into second base to put the go-ahead run in scoring position.
A groundout brought Marsh home to tie the game before DeCandido raced home on another ground ball. His speed forced a rushed throw from Boston College’s drawn-in infield and allowed the Flames to take the lead.
Cooper Harrington closed out the ninth inning for Liberty, which advanced to face the winner of Georgia and Long Island.
The comeback was nothing new for the Flames. Liberty improved to 9-0 this season in games when trailing in the seventh inning or later.
“It’s never going to be easy,” DeCandido said after the game. “This is the perfect time to show being battle-tested can help you.”
Liberty coach Bradley LeCroy praised his team’s resilience, though he admitted he would not mind a few easier wins.
“It’s just kind of what this team does,” LeCroy said. “These guys like to continue to give me gray hair, that’s for sure.”
Liberty entered the Athens Regional as an underdog with SEC champion Georgia serving as the host, but the Flames showed no signs of intimidation. When asked about the mood in the dugout while trailing by a run in the ninth inning, players laughed.
“No words needed,” DeCandido said.
The Flames also benefited from a strong outing by Ben Blair, who provided valuable length on the mound and helped preserve Liberty’s bullpen heading into Saturday’s game.
Boston College dropped into the loser’s bracket with the defeat.
