Box Score

RADFORD, Va. – Meredith Moore's (Roanoke, Va./Cave Spring) two-out game-winning grand slam highlighted a five-run fifth lifting Radford to a 6-3 come from behind victory over Presbyterian and completing the three-game series sweep Sunday afternoon from RU Softball Field.

The victory improves the Highlanders (25-10, 11-1 Big South) to 15-0 at home this season and extends their winning streak to nine games.

Radford trailed 3-1 after the first inning and were unable to generate many scoring opportunities over the next three frames before breaking through against PC (13-16, 1-11) relief pitcher Mary Gordon.

With two outs and runners on first and second, Shannon Keefe kept the inning alive, legging out a dribbler in front of the plate to load the bases. Hope Creasy battled Gordon and drew a walk after a 10-pitch at bat, inching the Highlanders closer to the Blue Hose at 3-2.

Moore quickly fell behind 0-2, and after a ball, she lofted the next pitch over the rightfield fence for the game-winning grand slam. It was Moore's fourth long ball of the season and the first grand slam of her softball career.

"Our batters stayed patient and didn't try to win it with one swing," commented head coach Mickey Dean. "Their patience allowed them to capitalize in the fifth inning."

The comeback was made possible by the clutch relief pitching by Chelsea Kelley. She entered the game with one out in the first and after a wild pitch and a bloop single, she allowed just two base runners (walk, hit batter) the rest of the contest.

"That was an outstanding effort on Chelsea's part," said Dean. "She was a little sore today, but gave us a chance to win with her performance."

Holding the PC bats at bay, Kelley improved to 15-5 with four strikeouts.

Gordon (6-5), who entered in the fourth, allowed five runs on three hits with two walks and a strikeout in 2.2 innings. Brittany Howell started and surrendered a run on four hits with a strikeout and walk in three innings.

The Blue Hose took advantage of some wild pitching and an error to take an early 3-0 lead. After a leadoff double by Tera Powell, a walk and an error loaded the bags with one out. After a lengthy at bat, Morgan Durham drew a bases load walk to push across the first run.

Following a pitching change, Krystan Handy scooted home on a wild pitch and with two outs, Kayla Handy dumped a RBI single over the pitcher's head for a 3-0 lead.

The Highlanders got a run back in the bottom half of the inning on a leadoff double by Kristen Shiffflett and a RBI single to left by Nichole Beall.

Shifflett, Keefe and Sarah Himan all registered two hits. Powell and Kayla Handy recorded the only two Blue Hose hits.

Radford will wrap up the home portion its schedule on Wednesday, April 14 when it host Virginia Tech in a single game at 7 p.m. Prior to the contest, Radford will honor its two seniors Creasy and Himan.