After going 4-1 on a five-game homestand, Radford takes a short trip to Blacksburg on Tuesday afternoon to face Virginia Tech in the first game of a home-and-home season series.
The Highlanders got back to the .500 mark after a series win over Bryant – after starting the season 2-6, Radford has won six of their last eight games, including back-to-back weekend series wins (UNCG, Bryant).
As a team last week, Radford posted standout numbers in every facet of the game, with a .345 team average, 39 runs on 61 hits, 23 walks (against 23 strikeouts), 10 steals, a .985 fielding percentage, and a 3.40 ERA.
Jeff Kemp's 10 RBIs led the way offensively, while
Josh Gardiner hit .467 (7-for-15), scored five times and stole three bases.
Right-hander
Jake Palese will get the ball for Radford, coming off his first start of the season last Wednesday vs. La Salle. Palese went a career-long seven innings, allowing a run on six hits with four strikeouts to earn his second win (2-0).
Tuesday's meeting is the 45th in the history of the series (VT, 34-10) – Radford won the first game in Blacksburg 7-5 a season ago (March 29) while Tech won the game in Radford 13-7 (April 13).
Virginia Tech (12-4) won seven games in a row entering Saturday's second series game at Virginia – the Cavaliers took the final two games of the set. The Hokies are 4-0 at English Field this season
MIDWEEK NOTEBOOK
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Following Tuesday's game, the Highlanders play nine of their next 11 games at home, beginning Friday with a series against Marist
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Through 16 games, Jeff Kemp is six RBIs of his season total from 2011, and halfway to a career-best (36 in 2009) – he is tied for third in the Big South in RBIs
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Kemp leads the league in doubles (8) and triples (3)
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As a team, the Highlanders have drawn 14 more walks, stolen 14 more bases and committed 19 fewer errors than their opponents
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Radford's .980 team fielding percentage is second in the Big South
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The Highlanders are hitting .291 (10.6 hits/game) and averaging just over six runs of offense per game entering the week, third in the conference
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Matt Hillsinger's .377 batting average and .474 on-base percentage are sixth in the league
