HPU CLOSES OUT SERIES SWEEP WITH ANOTHER LATE-INNING RALLY

BOX SCORE RADFORD, Va. - The script remained the same Sunday in the Big South baseball series between Radford and High Point. Just the same as the first two games, the Panthers led early, the Highlanders came back to take a lead, High Point tied it in the middle innings, and then closed with a big inning to defeat RU. Sunday's game was no different as the Panthers rallied for five runs in the ninth to defeat Radford, 8-3, and complete a three-game sweep.

After High Point scored a run in the first after Willie Medina opened the game with a double and scored on a single by Devin Bujnovsky, the Highlanders took the lead with three straight innings with a run to open their offensive efforts.

Ryan Burgess singled home Jeff Kemp to tie the game in the first. Josh Reavis singled home Chris Coia to take the lead in the second, and Kemp homered in the third to extend the lead to 3-1. But for the third straight game, the Highlanders were able to hold the lead.

Adam Barry brought the Panthers to within 3-2 in the fourth with an RBI single, and Bujnovsky knocked in the tying run in the fifth.

Both starters were solid in their efforts and worked into the seventh inning.

Keith Fritz went 6.1 innings for Radford and spead around nine Panther hits giving up three runs without a walk. He struck out three. Malcolm Clapsaddle logged 7.0 innings and too gave up nine hits with three runs. He walked one and struck out four.

The game remained tied into the ninth when High Point took control.

Stephen Wytiaz led off the inning with a pinch-hit single followed by consecutive singles by Cody Manzella and Dane McDermott. Medina gave the Panthers the lead with a two-RBI single. Josh Spano put the game out of reach with a three-run homer for High Point.

The sweep dropped the Highlanders into second place in the North Division race now 2.5 games behind Campbell.

"High Point applied the pressure on us all weekend, and we were unable to respond like we have for most of the season," RU head coach Joe Raccuia said.

Reavis and Hunter Higgerson extended their hitting streaks to 14 and eight games, respectively. Kemp's home run, his 10th of the season, leads the Big South.

Radford returns to action at home Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. when the Highlanders host James Madison.

More to come shortly.

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