HIGH POINT, N.C. (Interstat) — Liberty’s pitching staff combined for a four-hit shutout and Josh Campos broke open a tight game with an eighth-inning grand slam as the Flames blanked High Point 8-0 in nonconference baseball Tuesday at George S. Erath Field at Coy O. Williard Baseball Stadium.

The game, which started in the afternoon and concluded in the evening, was a pitcher’s duel for seven innings before Liberty erupted for seven runs in the eighth to secure its fourth straight victory.

Liberty starter Cooper Harrington set the tone, working six scoreless innings and allowing just two hits. He struck out six and walked one before turning the game over to the bullpen. Tristan Dietrich and Josh McCusker each contributed a scoreless inning of relief before Aydan Decker-Petty struck out the side in the ninth to seal the win.

High Point starter Mateo Wells matched Harrington for much of the day, limiting the Flames to one unearned run on four hits over 4 2/3 innings. The Panthers’ defense gifted Liberty its first run in the second inning. After a double by Dylan Grabowski and an error put runners on the corners, a bases-loaded walk to Kane Hvidsten forced in the game’s first run.

That 1-0 margin held into the eighth inning, as Liberty stranded multiple runners and High Point’s bullpen, led by Dalton Hitt, kept the Flames in check. Liberty finally broke through against reliever Salicco. Grabowski walked and Jake Sorenson doubled to put runners at second and third. Nick Barone followed with an RBI single to center, scoring Grabowski. After a pitching change, Lucas Scilley delivered another run-scoring single to make it 3-0. A hit-by-pitch reloaded the bases for Campos.

The center fielder, who had doubled and singled earlier in the game, connected on a towering drive for a grand slam, clearing the bases and blowing the game open at 7-0. Campos finished 3-for-5 with four RBIs and two runs scored. The Flames added one more run later in the inning on an RBI single from Richie Drumm.

The most important part of the game was Campos’ grand slam in the eighth inning. It transformed a tense, low-scoring contest into a decisive Liberty victory, turning a 2-0 lead into a 6-0 advantage and effectively ending any chance of a High Point comeback.

Liberty’s offensive outburst in the eighth accounted for seven of its eight runs and six of its 11 total hits. Grabowski also had a multi-hit game, going 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored.

High Point’s offense never threatened seriously. The Panthers managed only four singles and a double, going 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and stranding six. They loaded the bases with one out in the eighth against McCusker but struck out twice to end the inning.

With the win, Liberty improved to 8-3 this season. High Point fell to 7-6. The Flames have now won both meetings between the teams this season, having defeated the Panthers 9-3 last Wednesday in Lynchburg.

Liberty is scheduled to host Harvard for a three-game series starting Friday. High Point travels to face Florida in Gainesville for a three-game set beginning the same day.