LEXINGTON, Va. ? A dropped fly ball in the eighth inning proved to be the difference Sunday, as the visiting Liberty Flames claimed the series finale against the VMI Keydets, 4-3 in a Big South contest played at Gray-Minor Stadium.

With two outs in the Liberty eighth and the visitors holding a 3-1 edge, Flames' second baseman P.J. Jimenez walked. Shortstop Matt Williams then skied a fly ball to right field that VMI outfielder Jeremy Peed appeared to lose in the sun. The ball glanced off Peed's glove, allowing Jimenez to score from first base and push Liberty's lead to 4-1.

The unearned run would be the difference in the game, as VMI struck for two runs in the bottom of the eighth to make it 4-3, but the Keydets could get no closer in losing their second-consecutive contest. With the setback, VMI drops to 12-17 overall and 6-5 in Big South play, while Liberty moves to 21-8 and 9-2 in conference action.

Andrew Wilson (4-1) earned the win in relief for Liberty, as he pitched three innings and surrendered two runs a day after earning the save in Liberty's 9-7 win Saturday. Carter Browning notched his third save of the year for the Flames, while Matt Edwards (2-2) took the loss for VMI, also in relief.

The Keydets took the early lead off Liberty starter Cody Brown, as Jordan Ballard scored on a Brian Sandridge ground ball in the second inning. Liberty came back in the fourth, as third baseman Tyler Bream hit a solo home run off VMI hurler Adam Kruithof to tie the game at one apiece, and it would stay that way until the top of the seventh.

Curran Redal singled to open that frame, and Doug Bream followed with a base hit. Errol Hollinger bunted both runners over, and VMI brought in Sam Roberts to face pinch-hitter Tim Rotola. Rotola grounded out, scoring Redal, and Bream came home on a wild pitch, making the score 3-1 Liberty.

The Flames then added a run on Peed's eighth-inning error, before VMI mounted a rally in the bottom half. Roberts walked, and Ballard followed with a double down the left field line. Jacob Morley and Sandridge then drove in a run apiece with ground ball outs, making the score 4-3 Liberty, but the Keydets could get no closer as the Flames held on for the win.

At the plate, the Keydets were led by Ballard (2-for-4) and Justin Topping (2-for-3), but VMI was held without a home run for the first time in the series. Liberty was paced by Doug Bream, who went 3-for-5 in the win.

VMI baseball will return to action Tuesday evening, as the Keydets step out of Big South play by playing host to the VCU Rams. Game time is set for 5 p.m.

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LU................. 000 100 210 - 4 11 1 (21-8, 9-2 Big South)

VMI................ 010 000 020 - 3 6 1 (12-17, 6-5 Big South)

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LU ? Co. Brown; Wilson (6); Browning (9) and Hollinger.

VMI ? Kruithof; Edwards (5); Roberts (7) and Haitsuka.

Win-Wilson (4-1) Save-Browning (1) Loss-Edwards (2-2) T-2:30 A-262