SOFTBALL EDGED IN PAIR OF ONE-RUN GAMES AT CHARLOTTE

BOX SCORE 1 | BOX SCORE 2 CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Radford dropped a pair of one-run contests as it was swept in a non-conference doubleheader at Charlotte on Wednesday from DL Phillips Complex. The 49ers (18-22) won by the scores of 1-0 and 5-4.

Senior Jackie Jenkins and Charlotte's Katie Walters locked up in a pitchers dual in game one with the Highlanders falling 1-0.

Watkins tossed a five-hit shutout with six strikeouts and one walk as only two Radford runners reached scoring position. Jenkins also allowed five hits, but also walked five in the defeat.

One of Jenkins' walks came back to haunt her, as a two-out RBI double by Chelsea Stamey in the second plated Courtney Carroll with the game's lone run. A one-out walk and a ground out moved Carroll into scoring position. She easily scored as Stamey lined a double just inside the leftfield line.

Carroll was 2-for-2 for the 49ers.

Five different Highlanders recorded a hit with freshman Emily Naegele registering the only extra base hit with a first-inning double.

Despite recording 10 hits, RU was edged in the nightcap, 5-4. Freshman Becky Mantel was 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI, while Naegele and senior Ryndee Ruch recorded two hits each.

Radford did have a chance to rally in the seventh as it put the tying a go-ahead runners in scoring position. However Naegele popped up a squeeze attempt and 49er catcher Jackie Kleinsmith made a great diving catch in foul territory and easily doubled off Ruch, who was more than halfway down the line on the play.

The 49ers took advantage of a two-out dropped pop-up to plate three unearned runs in the second. With two outs and a runner on second, a pop up to shallow left was went in and out of the shortstop's glove, allowing a run to score. Two more would score on a two-run single by Samantha Slade.

Radford pushed two across in the third and two more in the fourth to grab a 4-3 lead. Three consecutive two-out singles, the third by junior Jessie Hutchens cut RU's deficit to 3-2.

In the fourth, Ruch drew a two out walk and Mantel took advantage by launching a two-run home run to left, the fifth on the season for the rookie.

However, Charlotte took advantage of pitching change to retake the lead for good in the bottom of the fourth. A double, single and wild pitch evened the contest at 4-4, before and out was recorded. With one out, a comebacker to the circle went off the glove and allowed the go-ahead run to scoot home. More damage was averted on fielder's choice and ground out.

Charlotte's Chelsea Kisikatos came in a shut the door on the Highlanders as she surrendered just those two seventh inning hits over the final three innings. Kalie Lang earned the win allowing four runs on eight hits.

Junior Stephanie Dameron, who entered in the fourth, took the loss. She allowed two runs on three hits with one strikeout and one walk in two innings of work. Freshman Allie Reid started and gave the Highlanders three solid innings. She did not allow an earned run on five hits.

Freshman Rachael Walters retired the 49ers in order with two strikeouts in the sixth.

Radford returns home for a Big South series against first-place Campbell on Friday (DH) and Saturday. First pitch for Friday is set for 4:00 p.m and 1:00 p.m. on Sunday.

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