ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Senior first baseman Alex Gregory (Great Falls, Va./Paul VI) went 3-for-4, scored three runs and hit his first home run of the season to lead Radford past UNC Asheville 8-4 in Big South baseball at McCormick Field Friday night.

Gregory scored in the fifth after ripping a triple off the center field wall, tying the game at 2-2, and came home on junior right fielder Reggie Keen's (Danville, Va./G.W. Danville) two-out RBI single in the seventh to give the Highlanders the go-ahead run. 

Then, in the ninth inning Gregory gave the Highlanders (11-11, 5-3 Big South) insurance with a two-run blast over the scoreboard in right center field to give Radford a 5-2 lead and key a five-run ninth.

With his three hits, Gregory extended a 12-game hitting streak.

Keen and senior third baseman Nick Minter (Virginia Beach, Va./Salem) each went 3-for-5 with an RBI for Radford.

Junior right-hander Aerik Taylor (Williamsport, Md./Williamsport) picked up the win (3-3), striking out a season-high six over seven innings of work.

Righty Taylor Wohlwend gave up three earned runs over 6 2/3 innings for Asheville, taking the loss (2-7).

Designated hitter Beau Zinman and Danny Baatz had two hits apiece for the Bulldogs (5-23, 3-9).

Game two of the series is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday.