RU FALLS IN SEASON OPENER TO VCU IN ATLANTA

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ATLANTA, Ga. - Radford (0-1) dropped its season-opener Friday to VCU, 9-4, in the second game of the Battle for Midtown Classic hosted by Georgia Tech. After RU battled back to take a brief 3-2 lead, the Rams scored five times in the top of the fourth to take the lead for good.

The Rams took the lead in the top of the first on an unearned run after a Chris Coia error at shortstop extended the inning for VCU. The Rams took advantage and singled home the first run of the game. The lead extended to 2-0 in the third after a leadoff double came around to plate for VCU.

Radford answered to take the lead in the bottom of the third.

Coia led off the inning with a single, and Josh Gardiner reached on an error moving both runners into scoring position. Coia scored on a wild pitch, and Gardiner came in when Aaron Scoville reached on another VCU error in the inning. Scoville's go-ahead run came across on an RBI single by Zach Woolcock, and the Highlanders enjoyed their first lead of the season.

The lead was short-lived, however, as VCU rallied for five runs in the top of the fourth. The Rams chased RU starter Michael Boyle in the inning. Boyle (0-1) took the loss giving up seven hits and five runs in 3.0 innings of work. Two of the runs he surrendered were unearned.

Radford head coach Joe Raccuia said his team played an ugly game, and it looked like a season-opener.

"VCU did a good job of competing and extending at bats. We played poorly defensively, which is something we are not accustomed to seeing at RU."

Coia finished the night with a pair of hits as the only Highlander with a multiple-hit game at the plate. RU scratched out seven hits compared to VCU's 13.

The Highlanders face host Georgia Tech on Saturday. First pitch is set for 4:00 p.m.

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