FOUR-RUN SECOND, WALTERS KEY RADFORD TO WIN AT PRESBYTERIAN

BOX SCORE CLINTON, S.C. – Radford scored four runs in the second inning and freshman Rachael Walters Va. retired 17 straight batters over six innings as the Highlanders defeated Presbyterian, 6-1 to take the Big South series on Sunday afternoon from PC Softball Complex.

Walters improved to 12-7 and 8-1 in league play, allowing a run and striking out four in six innings. After the Blue Hose's first two batters recorded singles, the rookie retired 17 straight until a hit batter with two outs in the sixth. She concluded her outing by fanning the next batter on four pitches.

Freshman Megan Honaker took advantage of her fifth start, going 2-for-3 with two runs. Her bunt single in the second was the first of her collegiate career. Seniors Ryndee Ruch and Jessica Agee also recorded two hits apiece with Ruch knocking in two runs.

"Seeing the same pitcher that beat us yesterday we had to make adjustments and use discipline at the plate," head coach Maggie Johnson. "Our hitters stepped up and we had a very solid pitching performances from Rachael and Jackie."

Presbyterian got on the board with its only run in the first. Back-to-back singles to start the inning by Tera Powell and Jill McLean followed by a sac bunt, set up Cat Tarvin's sacrifice fly to deep center that easily scored Powell for a 1-0 lead.

The Highlanders responded with four runs in the top of the second. Senior Morgan Eye wasted little time evening the score with a solo blast to left field. Following singles by Agee and Honaker, Ruch roped a double down the leftfield line breaking the deadlock. Taking third on the throw, she would cross the dish on freshman Becky Mantel's squeeze bunt over the first baseman's head.

Agee knocked in a run in the third for a 5-1 lead. Her single back up the middle scored freshman Emily Naegele from second. A walk to Naegele and a hit batter set up Agee's run-scoring base knock.

Following two quick innings, Radford put together a three-hit sixth to tack on another run. Bunt singles by Honaker and Ruch and a two-out steal of third by Honaker put runners on the corners. Sophomore Hilari Hopkins stepped up and drove a RBI single to center, plating Honaker with her second run of the contest.

Senior Jackie Jenkins closed the door on PC with a scoreless seventh.

"It's always an accomplishment to win a series, especially on the road," stated Johnson. "I'm proud of the way we finished."

Kensley Loudermelk got the start for the Blue Hose and suffered the loss. She surrendered five runs on five hits with three walks and a strikeout in three innings.

Sydney Seigler kept the Highlanders at bay except for the sixth, allowing a run on three hits with four strikeouts in four innings work.

Radford steps out of conference on Wednesday, April 17 for a doubleheader at Charlotte. First pitch is at 4:00 p.m.

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