VIDEO RECAP: COSTELLO'S GEM AND TIMELY HITTING KEY RADFORD'S BIG SOUTH OPENING VICTORY

BOX SCORE RADFORD, Va. - Tyler Costello posted 7.0 strong innings, and the Radford offense came through with big hits in key situations as the Highlanders opened the Big South season with an 8-4 home victory over VMI on Friday.

Costello (2-2) scattered nine hits and struck out six without issuing a walk and was steady all night despite giving up a couple hard luck hits that lead to three VMI runs and a 3-0 deficit heading to the bottom of the fourth. The ace of the RU staff kept throwing strikes and getting outs eventually getting the offensive support he needed in the middle innings.

Ryan Burgess slammed a two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth to get the Highlanders offense rolling. Zach Woolcock delivered an RBI single in the fifth as the Highlanders fought back to tie the game.

Costello kept up his end of the deal shutting down the Keydets through the fifth, sixth, and seventh. His teammates rewarded him with a victory as the Highlanders rallied for five runs in the bottom of the seventh before the starter was lifted for Jeff Maxwell in the eighth.

In the decisive seventh, Josh Gardiner led off with a single and stole second. Josh Reavis also singled. After an intentional walk to Jeff Kemp, who had doubled and scored earlier in the game, Woolcock again came through with an infield single that scored the go-ahead run. Burgess and Alexander Lee each followed with two-run singles, and the Highlanders had built an 8-3 lead.

Reed Garrett (1-1), who came on in relief of starter Connor Bach, took the loss for the Keydets. Bach worked 4.2 innings and gave up three runs on five hits. Garrett was charged with all five runs that plated in the seventh for the Highlanders.

Jordan Tarsovich had a pair of hits, including a double, for VMI. He drove in two runs as well. Drew Bryan finished 3-4 and scored a run. Nick Dwyer, Ray Lopez, and Matt Winn were all 2-4 with a run scored for the Keydets.

For the Highlanders, five players each had two base hits, including Gardiner, Reavis, Woolcock, Burgess, and Lee. Burgess drove in four runs for the victors.

VMI added a run in the ninth and actually brought the tying run to the plate. Daniel Bridgeman came on out of the bullpen to retire the final out and qualify for the save, his first of the season.

The win in the third straight for the Highlanders (9-7, 1-0) and their fourth in five games. VMI falls to 6-13 overall and 0-1 in the Big South. The teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 1:00 p.m. to complete the three-game series.

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