MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (Interstat) — Middle Tennessee defeated Liberty 8-1 on Thursday afternoon at Reese Smith Jr. Field, riding a strong pitching performance from David Horn and a balanced offensive attack.

Horn struck out nine over seven innings, allowing one earned run on seven hits. The Blue Raiders built an early lead with four runs in the second inning, fueled by Brett Rogers’ RBI single, an unearned run on a fielder’s choice and Owen Nowak’s two-run single. Cooper Clapp added a solo home run in the third, and Rogers doubled in another run later that inning. Dean O’Neill singled in a run, and Clapp drove in another in the fourth.

Liberty scored its only run in the sixth on Landon Scilley’s RBI single. Aydan Decker-Petty tossed four hitless innings of relief for the Flames, striking out four.

Middle Tennessee improved to 26-27 overall, while Liberty fell to 36-18. The teams continue their series Friday and Saturday.