WALTERS, FOUR-RUN FIFTH KEY SOFTBALL'S WIN OVER MARYLAND

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KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Rachael Walters struck out nine over six innings and a four-run fifth keyed Radford Softball's 6-1 victory over Maryland in its Citrus Classic opener on a sunny Friday afternoon at ESPN's Wide World of Sports Complex.

Walters surrendered a run on three hits and struck out at least one batter each inning as she improved to 3-1 on the season. It was the highest strikeout total in a seven-inning game for the sophomore. She struck out career-best 11 in an 11-inning contest last season against Campbell.

The Highlanders (3-4) have now scored six runs in each of their three wins this season.

Radford broke the game open with a two-out, four-run rally in the fifth, highlighted by senior Jessie Hutchens' two-run home run. Three batters later, freshman Summer Robinson made it 6-0 with a two-run double down the leftfield line. It was Hutchens' first long ball of the season and 16^th of her career, while Robinson gathered her first two collegiate RBIs.

Hutchens and Robinson each finished 1-for-3 with two RBI. Hutchens also tallied two runs and a steal of home.

The Highlanders took advantage Maryland (1-16) miscues to grab a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Sophomore Megan Honaker, who singled with one out, stole second, moved to third on an error and scored the first run of the game on a wild pitch. Hutchens would come around to score as she and freshman Julie Gardner executed a first and third double steal.

That was all Walters needed as the lefty held Maryland to just two hits through the first five innings, which included striking out the side in the fifth.

The Terps got to her for a run in the sixth on a one-out RBI double by Shannon Bustillos. Following a bloop double by a pinch hitter, she eventually slammed the door on the rally with her ninth and final strikeout.

Junior Kelsey Weddle retired the Terps in order in the seventh to close out the contest.

Seven different Highlanders recorded a hit, which included a double for sophomore Hayley Tabora. Honaker crossed the dish twice and recorded a theft for Radford.

Radford returns to action tomorrow against No. 17 Missouri (3:30 p.m.) and No. 23 Notre Dame (5:45 p.m.).

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