Softball 2/22/2014 12:08:00 AM

SOFTBALL TOPS MIDDLE TENNESSEE 6-3; SPLITS AT FROST CLASSIC

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CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Following a 6-3 win over Middle Tennessee in the nightcap, Radford Softball earned a split on the first day of the Frost Classic, hosted by Chattanooga. The Highlanders (2-1) were upended in the opening game of the tournament by Austin Peay, 3-1.

Against the Blue Raiders (4-8), Radford recorded nine hits over the first four innings and in a tight contest took the lead for good in the bottom of the third and went on for the 6-3 victory. Eight different players recorded a hit led by freshman Julie Gardner, going 2-for-3 with a double, home run and two RBI.

After MT evened the contest with a two-out run in the top of the third, Radford used a two-out rally of its own to regain the advantage. With two gone, sophomore Casey Burns doubled to the fence in center to keep the inning alive. Freshman Kayla Bishton followed with what proved to be the game-winning hit when she lined a run-scoring triple over the centerfielder's head, scoring pinch runner Ashleigh Harris.

The Highlanders tacked on two more runs to make it 6-3 in the fourth courtesy of back-to-back two-out RBI doubleS by senior Jessie Hutchens and Gardner.

The Blue Raiders had their best opportunity in the fifth to get back into the ball game, but freshman Abby Morrow put an end to the threat. Entering with runners on second and third, she battled with MT's cleanup hitter (2-for-2, 2 doubles, 3 RBI) before walking her. The rookie put it behind her and induced a dribbler in front of the plate that catcher Megan Honaker scooped up and tagged home for the final out.

Morrow earned a seven-out scoreless save. She struck out one and allowed one hit to post her second save in as many appearances. Sophomore Rachael Walters improved to 2-0, allowing two earned runs on five hits with three strikeouts in 4.2 innings of work.

The Highlanders fell behind 2-0 in the first on a two-out two-run double, but evened it with a bang in the bottom of the frame. Sophomore Becky Mantel tattooed a leadoff home run to left and three batters later, Gardner launched a solo blast to left center, her second of the season.

Sophomore Nia Chiles gave RU a short-lived 3-2 lead with a RBI infield single in the second, but back-to-back two-out doubles by the Blue Raiders knotted the score up.

In the opener, Radford left nine runners on base and was held to just two hits as it dropped a 3-1 decision to Austin Peay.

Despite being held to two hits, the Highlanders manufactured 10 base runners without the benefit of a hit (seven walks, 3 hit batter). However, the big hit never came as Radford put runners on base in every inning and left the bases loaded twice.

Austin Peay grabbed a 2-0 lead in the second, courtesy of a two-out bases load bloop single. The opportunity was set up by a pair of walks and a two-out infield single.

The Governors (3-8) tacked on the third run on a two-out RBI double to the right centerfield gap.

The Highlanders finally got on the board in the sixth when Chiles drew a two-out bases loaded walk. That would be all as a strikeout ended the threat of putting more runs on the board.

Chiles and Hutchens registered Radford's only hits. Mantel was hit three times, matching the single-game record she earned at Coastal Carolina last season. She's been hit five times through three games, including the first pitch against Charlotte and Austin Peay.

Senior Stephanie Dameron suffered the defeat. She surrendered three runs on four hits with four walks and two strikeouts in 2.2 innings. Junior Kelsey Weddle held the Governors scoreless over the final 3.1 innings by scattering four hits and striking out four.

Radford returns to action tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. against Butler, following by a 4:00 p.m. contest against host Chattanooga.

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