LYNCHBURG, VA -- Scott Clark went 4-for-5 with five RBI and two home runs to lead Elon to a 12-7 road win over Big South Conference leader Liberty at Worthington Stadium on Friday afternoon.

The Fightin' Christians (26-16, 7-6 Big South) scored four runs on four hits off of Flame starter Brian Adams in the first inning, jumping out to an early 4-0 lead. Jim Swenson sparked the outburst with a single up the middle to knock in the contest's first two runs. Clark singled soon afterwards for his first RBI of the day and Robbie Smith doubled to right to score the fourth Elon run.

Liberty (20-13, 6-2) responded with a run in the bottom of the opening frame on Kelly Knouse's RBI single to right, scoring Keith Butler from second base. Elon maintained its 4-1 advantage entering the sixth inning as both teams battled through four scoreless innings.

The Fightin' Christians tackled on three more runs in the sixth to increase its lead to 7-1. Clark homered to ignite another Elon surge as the Fightin' Christians capitalized on four hits and two Liberty errors in the inning.

Elon's stingy defense and pitching held the Flames scoreless for a fifth consecutive inning in the sixth while the Fightin' Christians' offense collected four more runs in the seventh courtesy of three more Liberty errors and Clark's three-run dinger.

Trailing 11-1, the Flames mounted a comeback with two scores in the seventh and four more in the eighth. Elon reliever Nathan Holcomb entered the contest with two outs in the eighth to shut down the Liberty bats, fanning three of the five batters that he faced.

Brad Pinkerton (4-4) hurled seven and 2/3 innings for the victory, allowing four earned runs while scattering 14 hits. He walked three and struck out six. Brian Adams (4-3) suffered the loss even though the Flames outslugged the Fightin' Christians 15-12.

Liberty and Elon will face-off again on Saturday in a doubleheader starting at noon.

--ELON--