BOX SCORE

RADFORD, Va. – Carl Travers went 2-for-3 and hit a two-run homer with two outs in the sixth inning to lift Radford to its fourth straight win, 3-1 over Appalachian State on Tuesday night.

In a game delayed 48 minutes due to lightning in the area, the Highlanders (25-15) got Travers' first career blast along with work from four pitchers to limit the Mountaineers (25-18) to a single run.

“You need everyone to step up offensively,” head coach Joe Raccuia said. “When you need something special and when you need to do something you don't normally do, you have to do it without pressing. And that's something Carl did for us tonight. He's been swinging the bat really well lately and he deserves to get more at-bats – which he will.”

Jake Palese went five innings for Radford in his first collegiate start, allowing just a fifth inning run on Hector Crespo's sacrifice fly that scored Will Callaway, tying the game at 1-1. Derrick Brewer earned his first career win (1-3) with two scoreless relief innings, and Abram Williams worked the final inning and a third for his 11th save.

“We're in a better situation than we were last year, because we pitch a lot better,” Raccuia said. “And we defend a lot better. We've lost some position players lately, and that hurts. But it happens.”

Matt Hillsinger, who added a 2-for-4 night, singled in the first, moved to third on a single by Zach Costello, then scored on Alex Guerra's sacrifice fly to give the Highlanders and early lead.

Jake Taylor walked with one out in the sixth inning, two plays before Travers hit the go-ahead homer. Chad Farmer allowed the blast in his first inning of work, taking the loss (2-2).

Appalachian State, which had 11 hits and stranded 11 base runners, got two on in the ninth when Jeremy Dowdy drew a leadoff walk and Crespo singled. They moved to second and third on Tyler Zupcic's sacrifice bunt, but Williams retired the next two hitters to end the game.

The Highlanders play their second midweek game in a row on Wednesday, heading to Longwood for a 6 p.m. game.

NOTES: Ryan Burgess extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a single in the eighth … Radford shortstop Jeff Kemp injured his hand while fielding in batting practice and will miss the remainder of the season.