RU RALLY COMES UP SHORT IN 10 INNINGS VS. ODU

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ATLANTA, Ga. - Radford (1-2) rallied for four runs in the top of the ninth inning Sunday, but could not hold on to one-run leads in each of the ninth and 10th innings as the Highlanders dropped an 8-7 decision to Old Dominion (1-2) in the final game of the Battle in Midtown Classic hosted by Georgia Tech.

Trailing 5-2 heading into the top half of the ninth, Radford put together a four-run inning with two outs to take its first lead of the game. Chris Coia delivered a clutch two-run single with the bases loaded to give RU a 6-5 lead heading to the bottom of the ninth. Patrick Marshall's base hit and Danny Hrbek's bases loaded walk drove in the first two runs of the rally.

ODU answered the four runs with a single run in the bottom half of the ninth to force the game into extra innings. After a leadoff single, the Monarchs took advantage of a throwing error by the Highlanders on a stolen base attempt to set up a sacrifice fly to tie the score.

Again, the Highlanders took the lead in the top of the 10th. Aaron Scoville reached on an error to begin the inning where Alexander Lee drove in the go-ahead run with a base hit up the middle. For the second time, RU found itself trying to close out the game with a one-run lead.

And for the second time, the Monarchs had the answer. A leadoff single and a throwing error on a sac bunt tied the game and set up the winning run. ODU won the game on a bases loaded fielder's choice without RU recording an out in the final half inning.

"I love the fact that this team didn't quit and made a run at them," head coach Joe Raccuia said. "However, we again did not play a clean enough game to earn the victory."

Nygeal Andrews (0-1) suffered the loss on the mound. He worked 2.0 innings giving up four runs, two earned, on three hits and a pair of walks. Ryan Meisinger made the start for RU and went 4.0 innings and gave up two runs on three hits. In all, the Highlanders committed four errors to allow four unearned runs on the day.

At the plate, Josh Reavis hit his first career home run as a Highlander. His blast in the top of the seventh cut the ODU lead to 4-2.

Coia finished the day 3-6 with three RBI. Lee was 2-5 with a pair of runs driven in. Marshall and Josh Gardiner also posted multi-hit days with two hits apiece. Radford outhit ODU, 13-8, but the Monarchs were clean defensively.

Radford remains on the road Tuesday at North Carolina A&T. First pitch at War Memorial Stadium in Greensboro, N.C. is set for 3:00 p.m.

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