GAME 1 BOX | GAME 2 BOX
Photo Gallery (Courtesy of Tim Cowie)

RADFORD, Va. – Alex Guerra hit two homers and drove in six runs, Abram Williams earned a pair of saves to set the new Radford single-season record, Joe Raccuia earned his 100th win as the program's head coach and the Highlanders swept a doubleheader from Winthrop on Sunday, 7-4 and 5-4.

With the series sweep, the Highlanders move to 21-15 overall and 7-5 in the Big South. Winthrop is 18-19 following the losses and 8-7 in league play.

Guerra raised his series RBI total to 10 with his six on Sunday – he went 6-for-11 in the series. Williams became the first Radford pitcher to hit the double-digit mark for a single season in saves, topping the mark set by Jason Patten in 2009. Patten earned the win (3-1) that set Williams up the second game.

For his career, Raccuia is now 158-147, including two seasons at Marist (2004-05). He has a 100-95 record in his fourth season as the skipper at his alma mater (1995).

“Playing anyone, it's tough to win three games,” Raccuia said. “We were just trying to grind this one out. They're a good team, and these were all nail-biters. We kept making pitches, kept making plays, had big hits – things happened for us, and we deserved all three wins this weekend.”

GAME 1: RADFORD 7, WINTHROP 4

Guerra broke the game open in the third with his bases-clearing two-out double, Zach Costello and Matt Hillsinger had three hits each as part of an 11-hit effort, and the Highlanders won the second series game.

The Highlanders had back-to-back singles from Carl Travers and Costello to open the last of the third inning, before Winthrop starter Robert Lake retired the next two hitters. Lake walked the following two hitters with two outs, Cory Turner and Matt Mack, before Guerra laced a 3-2 pitch to the corner in right to score all three runs and make it a 4-2 lead for the Highlanders.

Hillsinger singled home Costello with two outs in the fourth to make it a 5-2 Radford lead,and Costello brought in Ryan Burgess, who doubled to lead off the sixth, with a two-out single in the sixth, making it a 6-3 advantage.

Mark Peterson went 5 1/3 innings in his start to earn the win (3-1). Williams walked two batters in the ninth, but earned his ninth save.

Patrick Gamblin hit a solo homer, his second of the year, to make it a 7-4 game in the seventh. Eddie Rohan and Brett Thomas went 2-for-4 for Winthrop.

GAME 2: RADFORD 5, WINTHROP 4

Guerra hit two homers and drove in three runs, Bobby Bolling went six innings without allowing an earned run, and Williams tied the school single-season saves mark with a scoreless ninth on the way to the sweep.

Guerra hit a solo blast in the second to get Radford on the board first for the first time in the series, a 1-0 lead. He added his second homer, a two-run shot in the third, to make it a 3-0 game.

Mack, who scored on Guerra's second homer, was 3-for-4. Burgess had a 2-for-3 game, and doubled home Mack in the sixth.

Blake Sipe, who entered the game when Turner was injured with a 2-2 count in the seventh, scored the go-ahead run when he walked, stole second, then came home on Mack's single to left, making it a 5-4 Radford lead.

Bolling, who didn't figure in the decision, gave way to Patten after six innings – Patten allowed a run in the seventh on Eddie Rohan's sacrfice fly that scored Cam Walters, but set down the side in the eighth to earn the win and set Williams up in the ninth.

Eric Ruth suffered his first loss (5-1) for Winthrop in relief, allowing the go-ahead run. Adam Gliebe was 2-for-4 and knocked in two runs as part of a three-run sixth for the Eagles, who tied the game at 4-4.

Radford is at home Tuesday night, facing Virginia at 6 p.m.