Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Radford held on to a one-run lead in the final three innings and freshman Paul DeVito (Annapolis, Md./Archbishop Spalding) worked five innings to earn his first career victory, as the Highlanders took the opening series finale from UAB, 4-3, on Sunday.

DeVito (1-0), making his collegiate debut, allowed three runs on three hits while the Highlanders (1-2) gave the left-hander four runs of support.

The Highlanders were led at the plate by senior left fielder Will Naylor's (Clifton, Va./Paul VI) two RBI, which came on a triple with two outs in the top of the first inning.

Radford junior right fielder Reggie Keen (Danville, Va./GW-Danville) and freshman second baseman Brett Mollenhauer (Roanoke, Va./Hidden Valley) each went 2-for-4 with a run scored.

The Highlanders tacked on runs in the fifth and sixth innings, and Naylor scored the go-ahead run on freshman catcher Carl Travers' (Huntingtown, Md./Riverdale Baptist) sacrifice bunt RBI in the top of the sixth.

UAB (2-1) answered with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the sixth, but senior left-hander John Lloyd (Oak Hill, Va./Westfield) and freshman right-hander Jason Patten (Davidsonville, Md./Archbishop Spalding) combined to work four scoreless innings of relief to seal the win. Patten got two outs in the ninth to pick up his first collegiate save.

The Blazers were led at the plate by designated hitter Austin Taylor's 2-for-4 day and first baseman Luke Stewart's second inning home run. 

UAB right-hander Jason Oliver was charged with the loss (0-1), working six innings.

Radford returns to the diamond on Friday, beginning play at the Charleston Firefighter Memorial Challenge.