Box Score

RADFORD, Va. – Radford held on for an 8-7 win over Gardner-Webb in Big South softball action from RU Softball Field. With the victory, the Highlanders (20-10, 8-1 Big South) complete the series sweep and improve to 12-0 at home this season.

Leading 7-1 entering the sixth inning, Radford held off a furious rally by the Bulldogs (11-23, 1-4). A pair of three-run home runs in the sixth and seventh inning put GWU in striking distance. An insurance run in the bottom half of the sixth proved to be important as the seventh inning long ball cut the lead to one.

“I thought we had a tremendous game defensively, making several great plays,” said head coach Mickey Dean. “We were able to execute some bunts and steals early on and that eventually opened it up for our hitters.”

Shannon Keefe and Hope Creasy each recorded a pair of hits and scored two runs. Michelle Beall knocked in three runs.

A three-run second gave the Highlanders an early 3-0 lead. Keefe led off with a bunt single and Creasy dropped one into to no man's land putting runners on first and second. After a sacrifice bunt by Meredith Moore, Beall dropped down a successful squeeze for the first run.

Beall advanced to second when the ball went to the backstop. Lauren Williams ripped the next pitch up the middle, plating Creasy. Williams and Beall executed a double steal to add the third run.

The Bulldogs pushed across a run in the top of the fourth on an RBI double by Kelsey Witter. Christa Fullwood, who led off with a single and moved to second on Mandy Ward's single, scored on the play.

Radford broke open the ball game with a four-run fifth, highlighted by a two-run triple by Beall. Kristen Shifflett opened the frame with her seventh home run of the season and Keefe knocked in the second run with a hard single to left.

Mandy Ward responded in the top of the sixth with a three-run home run, cutting Radford's lead to 7-4. Following the long ball, Kellie Snooks came in, and after a pair of infield hits she induced a groundout and line to prevent any more scoring.

Radford added an insurance run on a two-out RBI single by Sarah Himan scoring Williams from second, who led the inning off with a walk and stole second with one out.

The run proved to be important as McKenzie Morenus drilled a three-run round tripper to centerfield with one out. Kelley reentered and recorded the final two outs of the contest and secure the one-run victory.

Morenus finished 3-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored for the Bulldogs. Fullwood was 2-for-4 and scored three runs.

“We need our pitchers to be able to close out the final game of a series,” said Dean.

Chelsea Kelley picked up the win allowing four runs on seven hits with three strikeouts. Snooks went an inning, giving up three runs on five hits. Neither pitcher walked a batter.

Christine Murray suffered the loss, allowing six runs, three earned, on six hits in 4.1 innings.

Radford hits the road on Wednesday, April 6 for a doubleheader against James Madison beginning at 4 p.m.