CHARLESTON, S.C. - Nick Chinners went 3-for-4 and Anthony Markham settled down after a rough first inning on the mound, but Liberty University took an early lead and was able to hold on and defeat the Charleston Southern baseball team 7-5 Friday afternoon at CSU Ballpark.

The Buccaneers (17-27, 6-12 Big South Conference) belted 11 hits and did not commit an error. The Flames (35-12, 16-3 Big South) recorded four errors but their 14 hits were enough to outgun the home squad.

Liberty posted four runs on six-consecutive hits in the first to take the early lead. Matt Williams started off the scoring with a solo home run over the left-field wall.

Tyler Bream, Justin Richardson, P.J. Jimenez, Nathan Thompson, and Michael Robertson all recorded hits in the opening frame following the Williams home run. Williams, Bream, Richardson and Jimenez all crossed home plate to give the road squad the early 4-0 advantage.

CSU was able to cut the deficit in half during its turn at bat in the first. Brantley Meier and Bentley Christmas led off the frame with back-to-back singles. Meier went to third and then scored on a wild pitch, and Christmas was able to cross home plate following an RBI groundout from Tom Burkett.

Charleston Southern had a chance to make some noise in the fifth inning after the team loaded the bases with just one out, but Patrick Dolan struck out and Christmas grounded out to end the threat.

After five scoreless innings from either dugout, Liberty broke through with a two-run home run from Thompson with two outs in the seventh.

The Buccaneers answered with a run in the bottom of the seventh after Burkett was able to score on a throwing by the shortstop.

Curran Redal singled in the eighth and would later score to make the score 7-3 heading into the home half of the frame.

The Buccaneers had another comeback attempt going as Jesse Cadenhead doubled and scored on an RBI single from Meier. Meier advanced 90 feet on a wild pitch and would later score on an infield single by Nick Chinners. Dolan ended the last real threat CSU could muster as he lined out to center field.

Markham (1-5) lasted seven innings on the mound for the Bucs, and he allowed six runs on 11 hits. Four of those runs came in the opening frame and the other two were allowed on the home run by Thompson in the seventh. Tyler Vick pitched the eighth inning and gave up one run on two hits, and Charlie McCready blanked Liberty in the ninth. Both Vick and McCready were making their first appearances since April 21.

Chinners led CSU with three hits, and he also drove home a run. Meier and Christmas each went 2-for-5, with Meier picking up an RBI and the duo combining for three runs. Cadenhead was 2-for-4 and scored once.

Steven Evans (7-1) pitched 5 2/3 innings for the Flames, and he allowed two runs on six hits. He struck out nine and walked just three. Dane Beakler threw the next three innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits. J.J. McLeod picked up his fifth save of the year as he came on in the ninth to record the final out.

Thompson led Liberty with three hits and three runs batted in. Williams had two RBI, and Jimenez scored twice.

The Buccaneers and Flames will continue their three-game set with a 3 p.m. meeting May 8 at CSU Ballpark. Tyler Thornburg (5-2, 4.89) is scheduled to pitch for Charleston Southern, and Shawn Teufel (9-1, 2.16) is projected to counter for Liberty.