BOX SCORE

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Eddie Butler tossed a complete game shutout and Ryan Burgess hit a bases-clearing double in the third to lead Radford in a 5-0 Big South series-opening win at UNC Asheville at McCormick Field on Friday afternoon.

Butler (5-1) went the distance for the second time in his career and pitched through eight for the third time in his last four starts. Allowing just six hits, Butler struck out five and walked just one to lead the Highlanders (22-15, 8-5 Big South) to their sixth consecutive league win.

“Eddie was outstanding today,” head coach Joe Raccuia said. “He kept his pitch count down, threw strikes early, didn't get behind many guys, only walked one, and allowed his defense to work. His guys were active defensively behind him and making plays.

“You always hope that your Friday night guy can give you a chance to win from the first pitch on, and he did tonight.”

Butler retired the side in order five times and set down nine of the first 10 batters he faced while the Highlanders built their lead. In the second, Matt Mack singled to lead off the inning, moved to third on Burgess's single to right and scored on an infield hit by Brett Mollenhauer to make it 1-0.

Burgess delivered the big hit in the third, driving in three with the bases loaded and one out on a double to the corner, making it 4-0. The Highlanders loaded the bases when Zach Costello reached on a leadoff double, followed by singles from Jeff Kemp and Mack to fill the bases.

The Highlanders got one more in the fourth when Matt Hillsinger came home on Alex Guerra's ground out to the right side, giving Radford a 5-0 lead.

Hillsinger was 3-for-4 for Radford, and Mack and Burgess went 2-for-4. Burgess extended his hitting streak to eight games.

The Bulldogs (15-23, 7-9) got eight six hits, including a 2-for-4 game from Mike Vaughn. Following starter Ryan Dull's (2-5) departure after the sixth, UNC Asheville got three innings of two-hit relief from five pitchers to close out the game. Bulldogs pitchers stranded 12 Radford base runners.

“We had 12 hits, but I wasn't happy with our offensive execution,” Raccuia said. “We struck out with runners on third in key situations, and really needed the early runs and the shutout, or it would have been a tough game.”

Games two and three of the series are tomorrow at UNC Asheville's Greenwood Field, beginning at noon.