LYNCHBURG, Va. (Interstat) — The Liberty Flames overcame an early five-run deficit and rode a powerful offensive display to defeat the Harvard Crimson 11-7 in a nonconference baseball game Saturday at Liberty Baseball Stadium.

The game, which began in the afternoon and concluded under evening lights, saw the Flames improve to 9-3 overall, while Harvard’s winless start to the season extended to 0-7.

Harvard struck first, manufacturing a run in the opening inning on a sacrifice fly by Gio Colasante that scored Lane Max. The Crimson then erupted for six runs in the third inning to take a commanding 7-2 lead. The big blow was a three-run home run to left field by Aidan Colasante, which followed a two-run double by Dominic Brancel.

Liberty responded immediately and decisively. After Tucker Moore’s solo homer in the second began the comeback, the Flames sent nine men to the plate in the bottom of the third, scoring three times on RBI from Riley DeCandido, Dylan Grabowski and Jaxon Sorenson to cut the deficit to 7-5.

The most important part of the game arrived in the bottom of the fourth inning, when Liberty seized control for good. Trailing 7-5, the Flames mounted a three-run rally to take their first lead. Dylan Grabowski led off with a triple and scored on a groundout. After Nick Barone singled and stole third, he executed a double steal of home with Tucker Moore, who later scored on an RBI single by Josh Campos to put Liberty ahead 8-7.

That rally was fueled and ultimately preserved by the stellar relief work of Josh Swink, who entered the game for Liberty at the start of the fourth inning with his team trailing. Swink silenced the Harvard offense over four critical innings, allowing just two hits and striking out five while walking none. His performance stabilized the game and allowed the Liberty bats to complete the comeback.

The Flames’ bullpen dominance continued as Tyler August pitched two perfect innings of relief. Liberty then provided late insurance in the seventh inning when Josh Campos launched a two-run homer, and Tanner Marsh followed with a solo shot, extending the lead to 11-7.

Harvard, which collected nine hits but grounded into two double plays, threatened in the ninth, loading the bases with two outs. August, however, induced a game-ending groundout to shortstop to secure the victory.

Campos led Liberty’s 13-hit attack, going 2 for 3 with a home run, three RBIs and three runs scored. Marsh also homered, while Grabowski added three hits. For Harvard, Brancel drove in three runs and Colasante’s three RBIs came on his third-inning homer.

Harvard starter Jack Smith was charged with four earned runs in three innings of relief work. Brett Gable provided a bright spot for the Crimson with 1 2/3 innings of hitless relief, striking out three.

The teams are scheduled to conclude their three-game series on Sunday.