BOX SCORE

RADFORD, Va. – Charleston Southern pushed across the go-ahead runs in the eighth inning, propelling the Buccaneers to a 7-5 Big South win over Radford on Friday.
 
Brantley Meier, who went 2-for-5 and led Charleston Southern (11-17, 2-4 Big South) with three RBIs and three runs, came home in the eighth and hit an insurance RBI single in the ninth.
 
Matt Hillsinger led Radford (12-11, 3-1) at the plate, going 2-for-5 and driving in a pair.  Cory Turner and Robert Lamas each hit solo homers for the Highlanders.   Turner's was the first of his collegiate career.
 
Jesse Cadenhead, who worked the final 3 1/3 innings in relief of Anthony Markham, struck out six in the win (3-3).
 
Right-handed Radford starter Aerik Taylor, who didn't factor in the decision, went six innings and allowed three earned runs on seven hits.  For Taylor, the quality start was his fifth of the season.

“It was a poor performance for us in every facet of the game, except on the mound,” head coach Joe Raccuia said.  “Aerik Taylor did enough for us today, and he didn't deserve that.”
 
Brad Wimmer allowed two earned runs on a pair of hits, taking the loss (1-1).
 
Both teams had control issues, as the Highlanders walked seven and Charleston Southern walked six.  Radford committed five errors, leading to a pair of unearned runs.
 
After the first two hitters reached to begin Radford's half of the first, Hillsinger put the Highlanders on the board when he singled home Reggie Keen.
 
Charleston Southern went ahead with three in the top of the third, benefitting from an error and three free passes.  Meier's one-out single scored Tom Burkett, tying the game at 1-1.  The Buccaneers took the lead when Derek Smith walked with the bases loaded and the next hitter, Matt Still, was hit by a pitch to score another run and give Charleston Southern a 3-1 lead.
 
After Jon Matthews' RBI single followed a Radford error to begin the fifth, the Highlanders got one back in the bottom half on Hillsinger's single with runners at second and third, and tied the game at 4-4 in the sixth on Turner's homer to straight away center.
 
In the eighth inning Charleston Southern loaded the bases with one out, then scored two runs on a potential double play grounder, where the relay throw from second to first went wide and allowed Bentley Christmas and Meier to score, giving the Buccaneers a 6-4 lead.
 
After Lamas'  leadoff solo homer in the eighth to make it a one run game, the Buccaneers plated an insurance run in the top of the ninth on Meier's two-out single up the middle, extending the lead to 7-5.
 
Radford and Charleston Southern conclude the series on Saturday, with a doubleheader beginning at noon.