WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – The William & Mary baseball team scored six runs in the bottom of the first inning, but it wasn't enough as they fell to Liberty 10-7 in its mid-week finale on Wednesday afternoon at Plumeri Park. With the decision, the Tribe falls to 20-21, while the Flames improve to 22-22.
 
Freshman Kyle Wrighte led the Tribe offensively with two hits and two RBI. Sophomores Ryan Hall and Cullen Large also collected a pair of hits.
 
Liberty plated three runs with one swing of the bat in the top of the first. Will Shepherd reached on fielder's choice before moving to second on an infield single by Dalton Britt. With two outs, Andrew Kowalo belted a homer over the left field wall, giving the Flames an early 3-0 lead.
 
William & Mary responded back with six runs back in the bottom of the first inning. Hall led off the frame with a walk. The next batter, Wrighte tripled into the right center gap, scoring the Tribe's first run. Wrighte came around to score on a fielder's choice. Large scored the third run of the inning on a wild pitch. Three straight walks allowed for the Tribe to load the bases. Two more walks to freshmen Hunter Smith and Zach Pearson gave the Tribe its first lead. Hall came through with a sacrifice fly to cap the inning, and give W&M a 6-3 lead.
 
The Flames tied the score with three unearned runs in the top of the second inning. With runners on the corners and two outs, Shepherd reached third on an error that cleared the bases. He came around to score a wild pitch, tying the game.
 
Liberty retook the lead with a pair of runs in the top of the third inning. Dalton Britt led off the inning with a single, moving to second on a single from Kowalo. After an out, Sal Taormina walked, loading the bases Josh Latta followed with a double down the right field line, making the score 8-6.
 
The Flames tacked on two more runs in the top fifth. Austin Bream, Latta, and Jack Morris all reached base loading them with one out. D.J. Artis followed with a single up the middle scoring two, which gave the Flames a 10-6 lead.
 
W&M tried to rally with a run in the bottom of eighth inning. Hall led off the inning with a double to left center. Wrighte followed with a single up the middle scoring the run. The Tribe continued the rally, but stranded two men on base.
 
Freshman Kinston Carson was charged with his third loss of the season for W&M. A highlight out of the Tribe bullpen was sophomore Christopher Lohr, who pitched three shutout innings.
 
Zach Clouse picked up his third victory for the Flames. He tossed seven innings allowing one run on seven hits with three strikeouts. Evan Mitchell was credited with his first save, pitching the final 1.2 innings without allowing a hit. Offensively, Latta led the team with three hits, while Kowalo drove in three.
 
The Green and Gold continue its seven-game homestand as they welcome CAA foe Delaware to Plumeri Park for a  three-game series this weekend. The set gets underway on Friday, April 29 at 6 p.m.