BOX SCORE

RADFORD, Va. – Eddie Butler tossed a five-hitter, Reggie Keen drove in four runs and Raphael Turner knocked in three, and Radford rolled past Presbyterian College 12-1 in the second game of a Big South baseball series on Saturday.

Butler pitched the second complete game in a week for the Highlanders (25-20, 12-8 Big South) and needed to throw just 96 pitches over 2:21 to dispatch the Blue Hose (12-32, 4-16).  The freshman righty struck out 10 hitters and set the side down in order three times on the way to his second straight win (6-3).

“We really needed Eddie Butler's performance today,” head coach Joe Raccuia said.  “It saved our bullpen and was an impressive outing considering he used so few pitches and got 10 strikeouts.”

Keen went 1-for-3, scored twice and stole a base.   His only hit was a bases-loaded double over the center fielder's head with two outs in the second inning, giving the Highlanders a 3-0 lead.   In the eighth, Keen started a four-run inning by driving home Brett Mollenhauer on a ground ball misplayed by the shortstop.

“Once again, Reggie Keen got it done,” Raccuia said.  “He was in the same situation yesterday, and came through, and did it again today.

“It was a good offensive day for us, we took care of business there, and we played good defense when you considered how tough the elements were today.”

The game was played with sustained winds of 20-25 miles per hour, and gusts of up to 35 mph.

Turner led the Highlanders with his 2-for-3 afternoon, including a two-run double with two outs that was part of a four-run fourth, giving Radford a 7-0 lead.  

Each starter had a hit for the Highlanders, who totaled 13 for the afternoon, while seven players drove in runs.  The only other Radford player with multiple hits was Matt Mack, who added a pair of stolen bases.

Kenny Bryant put the only run on the board for Presbyterian, hitting a solo home run with two outs in the sixth.  Bryant's blast was his fourth of the season.

Jesse Harmon, who lasted just 3 2/3 innings, took the loss for Presbyterian (2-7).

The series finale is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Sunday.