HOKIES DEFEAT RADFORD, 6-1

BOX SCORE BLACKSBURG, Va. - Brendon Hayden's first inning grand slam set the tone for a Virginia Tech 6-1 victory over Radford at English Field on Tuesday. The Highlanders stranded 12 runners and failed to take advantage of three Hokie fielding errors in falling for the second straight time to an ACC foe on its home field. Josh Gardiner tripled and scored RU's lone run in the eighth.

Radford (2-6) starter Austin Ross (0-2) gave up a pair of walks and a single to Mark Zagunis with one out in the first inning before Hayden came to the plate. Hayden lifted a 2-2 pitch deep over the right-center field wall to give Virginia Tech (3-2) all the runs it would need on the afternoon.

Ross suffered his second loss in as many starts giving up five runs on three hits with three walks. The Hokies pushed across another run in the second when Saige Jenco walked, stole second and third, and came across on a ground out.

Tyler Swarmer replaced Ross in the second and quieted the Hokie bats for the next few innings. He gave up a run in the sixth, but left after logging 3.1 innings and allowing four hits. The Highlanders used four more pitchers on the day, Kyle Zurak, James Woods, Daniel Bridgeman, and Collin Hill, each of which went unscored upon.

The Highlanders scored their lone run in the eighth when Gardiner led off with a triple into the right field corner. Nygeal Andrews drove him home with a sac fly to centerfield, but the day was filled with missed opportunities for the RU offense.

Radford had at least one base runner in every inning and runners in scoring position in seven of the nine frames. Alexander Lee led all RU hitters with a 2-3 evening. Gardiner finished 2-5 with a run scored.

Luis Collazo (1-0) earned the win in relief of Sean Keselica, who went only 4.0 innings in his start. There was no save as the Hokies used four pitchers in all. Tech shortstop Ryan Tufts committed an error on defense in each of the first three innings, but the RU offense could not take advantage.

Radford begins an eight-game home stand on Saturday with its home opener at RU Baseball Stadium. The doubleheader vs. Siena is scheduled to begin at noon.

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