LYNCHBURG, Va. — Liberty rolled to a 15-3 victory over the visiting Bellarmine University baseball team in an ASUN series opener Friday.

Senior left fielder Chris Gambert moved into a tie for second place with Zac Wiley on the program's all-time home run list with a solo homer in the first for Bellarmine (12-25, 7-12 ASUN). Gambert's 32nd career homer — and seventh of this season — was crushed to center field to give the Knights an early lead against ASUN North leader Liberty (28-11, 12-1). Gambert is one long ball shy of tying Patrick Brady's record.

Not much went Bellarmine's way thereafter. Liberty had several balls barely elude Knights outfielders in the top of the first while scoring four runs in the frame. The Flames added two runs in the third and three in the fourth in building a 9-1 lead en route to the win.

Junior outfielder Matt Higgins collected two hits for Bellarmine, including an RBI triple. Senior second baseman Justin Rouse had an RBI single among his two hits, and freshman designated hitter Noah Nelson contributed two hits.

After allowing Gambert's homer in the first, Trevor Delaite (7-1) didn't allow another run over his 7.0 innings while picking up the win behind six strikeouts.

The teams will meet in the second of the three-game series at 4 p.m. (ET) Saturday.

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