BOX SCORE

RADFORD, Va. – No. 4 Coastal Carolina plated three runs in the ninth inning in a come-from-behind 8-6 win over Radford on Friday afternoon in the second game of a Big South series.

The Highlanders (29-24, 15-11 Big South) rallied with five runs over the sixth and seventh innings, highlighted by a five-RBI afternoon from Alex Guerra, to take a 6-5 lead into the ninth, but the Chanticleers (47-7, 25-0) stayed perfect in league play with a big ninth.

Scott Woodward led off the inning with an opposite-field blast over the left field wall, his fourth, to tie the game at 6-6.  Jose Iglesias, who was hit by a pitch on the next play, came home from third on a balk with the go-ahead run.    Radford had a chance to get out of the inning with runners at the corners and one out, on a groundball hit to short, but the relay throw wasn't in time and Tommy La Stella scored to make it an 8-6 lead for the Chanticleers.

“We put ourselves in a position to win, and obviously didn't do enough," head coach Joe Raccuia said.  "It's extremely disappointing and we'll learn from it and move on.

“There's no consolation prize for winning a close game, but we have the ability to be a good team and push the envelope.  We'll rebound from this.”

Woodward led Coastal Carolina at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs while walking twice and scoring three times.  La Stella and Rico Noel had two hits each and Chance Gilmore stole a pair of bases.

Guerra's big day highlighted the afternoon for Radford, going 3-for-3.  His one-out single with the bases loaded in the sixth inning brought home two runs and highlighted a three-run frame that tied the game at 4-4.  In the seventh, Guerra hit a two-out, two-run single through the left side, bringing home the go-ahead run and giving the Highlanders a 6-5 lead.

“He was very aggressive in both of his RBI situations," Raccuia said. "He got some good balls to hit early in his at-bats and came through in a very clutch way for us today.”

Tyren Rivers added a 2-for-5 day, scoring in the sixth and seventh innings.

Coastal Carolina scored single runs in the first inning and the fourth through seventh innings.  Taylor Motter's two-out single in the seventh brought home Woodward, who walked to lead off the inning, giving the Chanticleers back the lead at 5-4.

Austin Fleet worked two perfect relief innings, including a pair of strikeouts, to earn the win (5-1). 

Jason Patten threw in the ninth inning for Radford and was charged with the loss (5-4).

The series wraps up on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.

NOTE: Brad Wimmer made his 31st appearance for Radford in the sixth inning to become the school's all-time single-season leader.