Softball 3/11/2012 6:17:00 PM

SOFTBALL SPLITS ON FINAL DAY IN HAWAI'I

BOX SCORE 1 | BOX SCORE 2
RMU BOX

HONOLULU, Hawai'i – Radford Softball ended the trip to the Aloha State with a split on the final day of the Pepsi Malahini Kipa Aloha Tournament hosted by the University of Hawai'i at Rainbow Wahine Stadium. The Highlanders (8-8) upended Robert Morris, 3-1 before falling to Southern Illinois, 4-3, in nine innings.

Dameron entered with two outs and runners on second and third in the second and needed just one pitch to end the Colonials' best threat. She held RMU scoreless on four hits the rest of the way with four strikeouts and no walks 5.1 innings of work. In her last two appearances, she has allowed one run on seven hits with six punchouts and zero walks in 12.1 frames.

Ruch recorded three singles with a stolen base and a run scored.

The Highlanders got off to a loud start with back-to-back solo jacks in the bottom of the first by Michelle Beall and Jessie Hutchens. It was the first of the season for Beall and the first collegiate home run for Hutchens.

Radford pieced together a run in the fourth on a two-out RBI single by Vicki Madden. Ruch singled with one out and was sacrificed to second. She moved to third on an illegal pitch and scored when Madden blooped one over the first baseman's head. After a double steal, a nice snag by the shortstop prevented the Highlanders from adding to their lead.

The Highlanders got out of a minor jam in the sixth. With runners on first and second and one out, Madden turned a 5-3 double play to end the threat.

Southern Illinois tallied two runs in the bottom of the ninth to rally past Radford, 4-3. The Salukies answered the Highlanders in each of the three scoring innings.

Michelle Beall broke the scoreless deadlock with a two-out RBI single in the sixth, scoring Nichole Beall from second. The Salukies answered in the bottom half behind two singles and a sac fly by Allie VadeBoncouer.

Pinch runner Morgan Eye scored on a wild pitch with two outs to give Radford a 2-1 lead in the eighth.

SIU tied it once again on a RBI single Mallory Duran. Emily Norton entered after the single and after a soft single to left got out of two jams. With runners on second and third, the second out was recorded on a fielder's choice when rightfielder Jessica Agee tagged out the runner caught between second and third.

Nichole Beall, who was walked during the eighth, broke the all-time walks record with her 73rd. She surpassed the mark held by Lara Wohlgemuth (2001, 2003-05).

Following a hit batter that loaded the bases, Norton induced a foul out to first sending it to the ninth.

Micalah Sacre stole third and scored on Michelle Beall's sac fly to left.

The Salukies scored a pair of unearned runs to take home the win with the final run scoring on Michelle Bradley. The tying tally came on an error during a sacrifice bunt.

Norton suffered the defeat allowing a pair of unearned runs and one hit in .2 innings of work. She also walked and hit a batter. Jackie Jenkins started and went the first 7.1 innings, surrendering two runs, one earned on six hits with two strikeouts and no walks.

Nichole Beall recorded two of Radford's three hits.

Radford opens up at home next weekend hosting Lehigh and Binghamton on March 17 & 18 as part of the Radford Invitational. The Highlanders will play at 2 and 4 p.m. on Saturday and 12 and 2 pm on Sunday.

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