LYNCHBURG, VA—Liberty won its first-ever ASUN Conference baseball contest, 8-2, topping visiting, NJIT, Friday afternoon at Liberty Baseball Stadium in the first of a scheduled three-game series between the two teams.
 
Liberty, winners of the last nine out of 11 games, improves to 16-5 overall, 1-0 in the ASUN while the Highlanders move to 7-8-1, 0-1 in the ASUN.

WATCH: Game One Highlights at Liberty
 
Andrew McInvale remains undefeated in 2019, improving to 5-0 on the season, pitching 7.0 innings, fanning eight Highlander batters, letting up five hits and two runs. 
 
C Jonathan Embry led the Flames with three RBI, finishing 1-for-3 followed by 2B Will Wagner 1-for-4 with two RBI and 3B Tyler Galazin with 1-for-3 with two RBI.
 
NJIT starting pitcher Jared Kacso (0-3) was credited with the loss, pitching 4.2 innings, letting up eight hits and eight runs.  Lefty Jake Rappaport pitched 2.1 innings, keeping the Flames off the board, allowing just two hits while freshman Hunter Harris pitched a scoreless eighth, letting up just one hit.
 
RF Matthew Cocciadiferro went 1-for-4, driving in the Highlanders first run while 2B Jared Donnelly finished 1-for-3 with one RBI.
 
The visitors tacked on the first run of the game in the top of the first on a two-out RBI double in the gap by Matthew Cocciadiferro, scoring Julio Marcano, who reached first with a walk for a 1-0 lead.
 
NJIT made it 2-0 in the top of the second with another two-out double down the right field line by 2B Jared Donnelly, scoring DH Tom Brady, who singled to short.
 
Liberty knotted the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the second with a two-out two-run RBI by Jonathan Embry and Tyler Galazin put the Flames up for the first time, 4-2, with another two-out two-run single through the left side.
 
The home extended its lead to 8-2 on four runs and four hits in the bottom of the fifth.
 
Both teams will return to action on Saturday with first pitch set for 4pm at Liberty Baseball Stadium.  The game will be broadcasted on ESPN+.