LYNCHBURG, Va. - The Liberty Flames jumped out to a 4-0 lead through three innings and made the lead stand up in 8-2 win over Charleston Southern in the Big South opener for both teams on Friday afternoon at Liberty Stadium.

CSU falls to 8-11 on the year and open conference play at 0-1, while Liberty is now 12-6 overall and 1-0 in Big South play.

The Bucs were haunted by another slow start falling behind 4-0 early againt the Flames. Liberty raced to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Bryan Aanderud singled and stole home and Trey Wimmer added and RBI single as broke through first. Wimmer followed with a home run in the third to plate both of the runs for the Flames, who took a 4-0 lead.

CSU chipped a run off the lead in the fourth as Alex Tomasovich drew a walk and scored on a Robbie Streett single to cut the lead to 4-1.

CSU would add its second run in the eighth as leftfielder John Faircloth single and later scored on a sacrifice fly from Tomasovich to cut the lead to 6-2 at the time.

Flames' starter Carson Herndon (WP, 2-2) lasted 6.1 innings to get the win. He struck out four and walked three. Liberty's bullpen allowed the Faircloth run in the eighth, but nothing more.

CSU starter Ryan Gunther (LP, 2-2) lasted 7.0 innings and allowed four earned runs, striking out three.

Streett and catcher Drew Woodall each had two hits to lead the Bucs, who were outhit, 10-9. Four different Flames had two hits in the game.

The two teams meet again tomorrow at Liberty Stadium for a 1 p.m. first pitch.

-CSU-