PITT BOX | RMU BOX

BOTETOURT, Va. – Jackie Jenkins tossed a complete-game shutout as Radford blanked Robert Morris, 5-0, and earned a split on day one of the Radford Invitational. The Highlanders (15-10) stranded nine runners in a 2-1 loss to Pittsburgh in their first game of the tournament.

Jenkins scattered five hits struck out two and walked two earning her first collegiate shutout and improving to 6-0.

She got into some trouble in the sixth and the seventh. The Colonials (7-11) loaded the bases with one out in the sixth, but Jenkins struck out Chelsea Siar and induced a fielder's choice grounder to shortstop to end the frame. In the last of the seventh, RMU put runners on first and second, but a pop up and a grounder to third ended the contest.

Radford scored all the runs it would need in the fifth. Against relief pitcher Geena Badolato, the Highlanders scored three runs without the benefit of a hit or error. They would cap of the inning with their second double steal of the frame that allowed Lauren Williams to scoot home with the third run.

The Highlanders broke the deadlock with one-out as Williams executed a perfect squeeze bunt, plating Morgan Eye, who just pulled off a double steal. Kristen Shifflett, making her first debut in the starting lineup since Feb. 13, knocked in the second run with a grounder to shortstop.

An RBI triple by Michelle Beall made it 4-0 in the sixth and she scored on a groundout to finalize the scoring for the Highlanders.

Badolato suffered the loss in three innings of relief. She allowed five runs on just two hits with one walk, two hit batters and a strikeout. Annie Dubovec started and surrendered just two hits with one punchout in the first four frames.

Taylor Cunningham, who scored on Beall's triple, was 2-for-3 and 3-for-6 on the day.

Pittsburgh scored two runs in the top of the first and Radford stranded nine runners, seven in scoring position, as the Panthers (15-5) edged the Highlanders 2-1.

Two infield hits and a two-run triple by Kelly Hmiel was all the Panthers needed in the top of the first.

Cory Berliner and Karlyn Jones held the Highlanders to just one first inning run. Berliner started and went 4.1 innings for the Panthers, surrendering an unearned run on six hits. Jones earned her first save of the season in 2.2 innings of shutout relief.

The duo got out of three second and third situations in the second, fifth and sixth innings to hold on for the win.

Radford scored its lone run on a two-out RBI infield single by Shannon Keefe. Her shot of the pitcher's glove plated Nichole Beall in the bottom of the first.

Beall recorded two of Radford's nine hits.

From that point on, the Highlanders left four runners at third and three more at second base in the one-run defeat.

Chelsea Kelley suffered the loss in three innings of work. She allowed both runs on four hits. Freshman Stephanie Dameron kept Radford within striking distance as she held the Panthers to just one single over the final four innings.

Radford returns to action tomorrow for a pair of games against Ball State and Georgetown at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.