BOX SCORE

RADFORD, Va. – A first inning two-run home run by Courtney Liddle and Jasmin Harrell's near no-hitter spoiled Radford's home opener as Virginia Tech defeated the Highlanders 2-0, Wednesday afternoon from RU Softball Field.

The Highlanders (2-3) finally got to Harrell in the bottom of the seventh as they loaded the bases with two outs, but Kenzie Roark came in and retired the final batter to save the game for the Hokies (7-2).

Harrell picked up the win, allowing just two hits in 6.2 innings of work. She struck out seven and walked three.

Her performance was key, as Radford's pitching did not allow another hit and just two base runners over the final six frames.

Senior Chelsea Kelley suffered the loss in four innings of work. After two hits, a walk and a hit batter in the first, Kelley allowed just one base runner the rest of the way and struck out four.

Freshman Stephanie Dameron closed out the Hokies with three innings of no-hit relief with one strikeout and a hit batter.

Dani Anderson gave Liddle the chance to hit the game-winning long ball by drawing a two-out walk off Kelley. Liddle stepped up and lined a 2-2 pitch over the 205 sign in center.

Harrell did the rest and was near perfect for the first 6.1 innings (walk and error) as just two Highlanders reached base.

In the bottom of the seventh, Shannon Keefe broke up the no-hit bid with a one-out double off the wall in left, but she was quickly erased when she fell rounding second and could not get back to the base before the tag.

A walk, bloop single by Taylor Cunningham and another walk loaded the bases and knocked Harrell out of the game.

However, Roark entered and induced a ground ball to second that ended the threat and Radford's 17-game home winning streak.

The Highlanders head to Birmingham, Ala. this weekend for the Magic City Classic, opening with co-host UAB on Friday at 8:30 p.m. They will also face Lipscomb, Saint Louis and co-host Samford.