SERIES OPENER GOES TO HIGHLANDERS, 8-4

BOX SCORE FARMVILLE, Va. - Patrick Marshall drove in five runs on three hits, including a pair of doubles, and Tyler Costello worked into the eighth in his start on the mound as Radford snapped a three-game skid with an 8-4 road victory over Longwood in Big South play at Bolding Stadium on Friday night.

Marshall's career night ended 3-5 with two runs scored and was highlighted by a bases-loaded three-run double in the top of the eighth that helped the Highlanders build an 8-0 lead. His RBI double in the first gave RU the lead after Josh Gardiner led off the game with a single. Marshall later scored on a wild pitch to make it 2-0. He also delivered a single in the seventh that scored a run.

Costello took the two-run lead his offense posted to the mound and was stellar in earning his fifth win of the season. The right-handed ace struck out a season-high six Lancers and only issued one walk logging 7.1 innings and giving up four runs, all in the eighth inning after giving up three hits and hitting a batter in the inning.

Ryan Meisinger relieved Costello and faced just two batters giving up a walk and an RBI single. Jeff Maxwell came on to put out the fire in the eighth and wiggle out of trouble in the ninth to earn a five-out save, his third of the season.

"We got a solid Friday night start from Costello," RU head coach Joe Raccuia said. "He used all three pitches effectively."

Ryan Meisinger relieved Costello and faced just two batters giving up a walk and an RBI single. Jeff Maxwell came on to put out the fire in the eighth and wiggle out of trouble in the ninth to earn a five-out save, his third of the season.

Chris Coia joined Marshall with a three-hit night. He finished 3-5 with an RBI and two runs scored. Josh Reavis, Ryan Burgess, and Alexander Lee also had multi-hit games with a pair of base hits each.

"It was good to see Marshall swinging the bat much better than he was early in the season," Raccuia said. "For us to be good, he has to play a big part. Coia also had a real nice day at the plate."

"All in all, it was a good Friday night win."

The win moves the Highlanders into a tie with High Point for second in the Big South North Division a game in front of Liberty. Campbell is just one game ahead of the Highlanders in the loss column.

RU is now 25-20 on the season and 10-6 in the conference. The Highlanders and the Lancers will play the middle game of the series on Saturday at 4:00.

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