BOX SCORE

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Radford got home runs from Zach Costello and Jeff Kemp, key hits from the 7-8-9 batters, and the Highlanders rallied with three eighth inning runs in a 5-4 win over Fordham on Saturday at the Wake Forest Invitational.

Costello capped the Radford comeback with his first career homer in the bottom of the eighth, a two-run, two-out blast made possible with two out hits from bench players Cory Cook and Daniel Wright to extend the inning, with the Highlanders down 3-2 at the start of the frame.

“I'm glad to see Costello get on the board with the big swing,” head coach Joe Raccuia said.

“When you look at a guy like Cory Cook, a fifth-year guy who doesn't get a lot of playing time, he comes in scores, gets a hit, that's big.  Plus Daniel Wright, who did the same thing off the bench, and even Derrick Brewer who pinch-ran for him.

"Everybody played a part in this game. Good defense, well-pitched, a good college baseball game.”

The Radford (5-4) win stopped a seven-game Fordham (7-2) winning streak.

Wright, a defensive replacement, singled home Cook to make it a 3-3 game after he doubled down the left field line with two outs to extend the inning. Cook, a pinch runner in the seventh, scored to cut Fordham's lead to 3-2 on a sacrifice fly by Brett Mollenhauer.

Kemp's homer, his fourth and second in as many days, gave the Highlanders a 1-0 first inning lead.

Fordham trailed in the fourth but tied the game on Brian Kownacki's two-out triple to left center, scoring Joe Russo. The Rams got two more in the sixth to take a 3-1 lead, when Nick Martinez hit a leadoff homer and Kownacki delivered another two-out run-scoring hit, this time a single.

Both starters lasted into the seventh inning. Radford's Mark Peterson went seven innings, struck out four and allowed three runs on six hits. Fordham's Max Krakowiak struck out eight and held the Highlanders at bay for 6 1/3 innings. Krakowiak allowed only three hits after the first inning.

“Krakowiak was really good, and front-line starter for anyone,” Raccuia said. “Good velocity, good command to beat you in almost any situation. But at some point, we got him out of the game. Then, it's about fighting for every pitch in every situation. But, Mark Peterson did a great job to keep us there, once again, and gave us a chance to win.”

Jake Quigg worked out of trouble in the eighth when the first two hitters, Martinez and Ryan Lee reached. Quigg picked Martinez off of second, then struck out the final two hitters to end the inning, earning his first win (1-0). Abram Williams got into similar trouble in the ninth, but retired the final three hitters for his second save.

Tim Swatek was charged with the loss (1-1) for Fordham.

NOTE: Radford is scheduled to close out the Wake Forest Invitational on Sunday at 4 p.m. … The game could be moved due to the threat of foul weather … Visit radfordathletics.com for the latest on the game time.