The Liberty Flames baseball program is poised to make a splash at the 2026 NCAA Tournament, marking their first appearance since the 2022 edition.
Under the guidance of second‑year head coach Bradley LeCroy, the team has compiled a 41‑19 record and earned a berth in the Athens Regional, where they will open play against Boston College.
A Pitcher to Watch
Senior right‑hander Ben Blair, the Conference USA Pitcher of the Year, will take the mound for the Flames on Friday. Blair, a graduate of Liberty Christian Academy, enters the game with a 6‑5 record, a 3.87 earned‑run average and 102 strikeouts across 15 starts.
His performance has been a cornerstone of a schedule that included victories over several Atlantic Coast Conference opponents, including Virginia, Wake Forest, NC State and Virginia Tech.
The matchup against Boston College carries added intrigue because the two schools have never met before, and the first pitch has been moved to noon to avoid forecasted inclement weather.
Liberty’s history with the host Bulldogs is modest; the Flames hold a 2‑8 all‑time record against the University of Georgia, who are hosting the regional.
Despite a 2‑8 slate against Georgia, the team remains confident, hoping to leverage home‑field familiarity and the energy of a regional crowd to break through.
The road to the College World Series will continue beyond this opening game, with the winner advancing to face the champion of the other regional bracket.
Fans can follow the action live on the NCAA’s digital platforms, while the university’s athletics website, liberty.edu, will provide real‑time updates and streaming options.