SOFTBALL DROPS SERIES FINALE TO CAMPBELL

BOX SCORE RADFORD, Va. – Radford jumped out to a 4-0 lead, but Campbell scored 11 unanswered runs over the final four innings to defeat the Highlanders, 11-4, in the Big South series finale on Sunday afternoon from RU Softball Field.

Trailing 4-0 after three frames, the Camels (33-16, 17-4 Big South) evened the contest with a four-run fourth and took the lead for good with two more runs in the fifth, helping them extend their winning streak to seven games.

"Campbell is a very solid team and it's easy to see why it leads the conference," commented head coach Maggie Johnson. Their hitters make adjustments and get strong throughout the game, which is something we are still learning how to do."

Ericka Nesbitt paced a top of the order that went 11-for-17 with a 4-for-4 performance at the plate and three runs scored. Raven Lee was 3-for-5 with three RBI. Stephanie Jones and Courtney Klingler chipped in with two hits and two runs apiece.

Freshman Emily Naegele went 2-for-4 with two runs scored for the Highlanders (16-28, 9-9), who dropped their sixth straight game. Senior Morgan Eye homered and knocked in two.

Freshman Becky Mantel, who was hit twice, broke the single-season mark for hit by pitches when she was plunked in the third inning for the 14th time, surpassing the original mark of 13 held by Kristen Shifflett. Mantel added to the record in the seventh.

The Highlanders jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning, highlighted by Eye's two-run home run. The two-out blast to center was her fourth of the season and made it 3-0. Naegele, who reached on an error to start the inning, scored on wild pitch, on ball four of a two-out walk to senior Jessica Agee.

A successful squeeze by Agee in the third tacked on the fourth Highlander run.

In the fourth, a RBI single by Lee put the Camels on the board and a run-scoring fielder's choice cut the Radford lead in half. With a runner on first and two outs, a grounder to short was beat out by Camise Patterson and the ensuing batter reached on a fielding error at third to extend the inning. Campbell took advantage as Brittany Bruce blooped a single to center to even the contest at 4-4.

Four straight singles to start fifth put the Camels ahead for good, 6-4. The final hit was almost caught in the gap at the fence on an extraordinary effort by Eye. However, Sarah Forgacs' ball tipped off the glove and two runs scored.

The Camels added another run in the sixth and four more on five hits (all after the first two outs were recorded) in the seventh. Half of those seventh-inning runs came off the bat of Lee, who doubled with the bases loaded.

Brittany Arnn picked up the win in relief. She tossed 2.1 innings and allowed a run on two hits with a walk and strikeout. Olivia Scarborough notched the save, closing out the final 2.2 frames without allowing a run (1 hit, 1 BB, 1 K). Julia Callicut started and did not allow an earned run in two-plus innings of work with a walk and punchout.

Freshman Rachael Walters, who entered in the fourth, suffered the loss. She allowed seven runs on 10 hits with two strikeouts in three innings. Senior Jackie Jenkins got the start, but was plagued by the fourth-inning miscues. She allowed four runs, two earned, on five hits with a strikeout and zero walks.

"We will look to refocus before Tuesday and come out with a great all-around effort against Virginia Tech this week," said Johnson.

Radford remains at home for a non-conference contest against in-state and New Rivery Valley rival Virginia Tech on Tuesday, April 23 at 7:00 p.m.

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