Liberty Flames left fielder Nick Barone hit three home runs and drove in six runs during a 17-7 win over the Duke Blue Devils on April 14 at Jack Coombs Field in Durham, North Carolina.
Barone’s performance included two-run home runs in the first, third, and eighth innings. He became the first Liberty player to hit three home runs in a game since 2022 and now leads the team with eight homers this season. The victory was highlighted by Liberty scoring ten unanswered runs after Duke tied the game at 7-7 in the fourth inning.
Center fielder Josh Campos contributed with three hits, including his seventh home run of the year, and collected three RBI. Campos and catcher Kyle Hvidsten hit back-to-back homers in the second inning. Hvidsten finished with two hits, two RBI, four runs scored, and has now homered in each of his last three games.
Liberty improved its record to 26-10 for the season while Duke fell to 22-17. Despite being outhit by Duke (12 hits to Liberty’s 11), Liberty capitalized on five home runs—tying their season high—and drew seven walks while being hit by pitches six times. Right fielder Riley DeCandido had two hits for Liberty and extended his streak of reaching base safely to a team-high 25 consecutive games.
The win was credited to reliever Jackson Evans who allowed one run over one inning pitched. Brandon Dahlman provided three scoreless innings out of relief for Liberty. For Duke, Michael DiMartini and Jake Lamdin each recorded two-run homers.
This contest marked the first meeting between these teams this season; they are scheduled to play again next Tuesday at Worthington Field at Liberty Baseball Stadium. Looking ahead, Liberty will travel to Dallas for a Conference USA series against Dallas Baptist Patriots beginning Friday.
