BOX SCORE BOX SCORE

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Right-handed starter Tyler Costello allowed just one run over 5 2/3 innings to earn his first collegiate win, Radford posted three-run innings in the fifth and ninth, and the Highlanders picked up a series-clinching 7-3 win over UNC Greensboro on Sunday afternoon.
 
Radford (4-7) closed out its season-opening road trip with its first series win in 2012. 
 
Zach Costello went 3-for-4 with a walk and a run scored to extend his streak of games reaching base to 12, and Matt Hillsinger went 2-for-5 with a pair of RBIs, including the go-ahead run on a double in the fifth.  Brett Mollenhauer scored twice and walked twice.
 
“We need guys like these to be to driving runs if we're going to be any good,” head coach Joe Raccuia said.  “Otherwise, we've been doing everything that allows us to be competitive – we pitch well enough, we defend exceptionally well, it's a matter of scoring runs for us.”
 
Trevor Edwards hit his third homer of the series for UNCG (8-2), which entered the weekend unbeaten in 2012.   Edwards' two-run seventh-inning blast, his seventh of the season, cut the Radford lead to a run, at 4-3.
 
Radford got insurance with a three-run ninth – Hillsinger singled home Mollenhauer, Cory Turner drew a bases-loaded walk, his third of the day, and Phil Bondi grounded out to bring home another two-out run and give the Highlanders a four-run lead, at 7-3.
 
Tyler Costello (1-0) struck out three batters and held the Spartans at bay through the first six innings of the game, while the Highlanders built the lead.   Radford got on the board first on Jeff Kemp's two-out RBI single in the third inning, then struck with three in the fifth.  Zach Costello doubled to lead off, then came home on Hillsinger's double to the gap in right center field, making it a 2-1 lead.   Mollenhauer scored on a wild pitch before Bondi hit the first of his two-out RBIs, extending the Radford lead to three runs.
 
UNCG right-handed starter Max Povse allowed only two runs in four innings and struck out five, but was charged with his first loss (1-1).    The Spartans used eight pitchers.
 
Radford plays its home opener on Tuesday and hosts 20 of its next 25 games, beginning a two-game series with La Salle at 4 p.m.