LATE LEAD SLIPS FOR RU, RED STORM WINS SERIES OPENER, 4-3

BOX SCORE RADFORD, Va. - For the second straight game, Radford found itself within three outs of posting its sixth victory of the season, but failed to hold the lead. Friday, the Highlanders were attempting to close out St. John's in the home opener for RU when the Red Storm rallied for a pair of ninth-inning runs and deafeated Radford, 4-3.

With two outs and two on in the top of the ninth, SJU's Jimmy Brennan delivered a RBI single up the middle to even the score, 3-3. Martin Kelly then walked with the bases loaded and Bret Dennis crossed the plate for the game-winning run.

Despite the loss, right-hander Tyler Costello (1-2) pitched a standout game, going 8.2 innings and fanned five batters. With a solid Radford (5-6) defense behind him, Costello retired 19 straight batters, spanning from the third to the ninth inning. Ryan Horstman (1-2) took the victory for the Red Storm (2-10). The starter, James Lamonagino struck out 10 in 6.0 innings of work.

For the offensive attack, Radford's Hunter Higgerson led off the bottom of the second with a double to right field and advanced to third on the next at-bat. A one-out, slow-roller off the bat of Josh Reavis plated Higgerson for the go-ahead run at the time, 3-2.

Following a lead-off walk by Jeff Gardiner and the same result by Reavis, Jeff Kemp roped an RBI double to left center, scoring Gardiner all the way from second. Reavis crossed the plate moments later on a passed ball to even the score, 2-2, after one. For Kemp, it was his team-leading 12th RBI of the season.

With two runners on in the top of the first, St. John's Frank Schwindle singled up the middle, scoring Pat Talbut for the game's first run. Danny Bethea brought in Sean O'Hare on a two-out double that hugged the third base line to grab an early 2-0 advantage.

The Highlanders will be back in action tomorrow for the second game of the series. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.

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