SOFTBALL DEFEATED BY COASTAL CAROLINA IN SERIES FINALE

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RADFORD, Va. – In the finale between the first and second place Big South teams, Coastal Carolina scored four runs in the final two innings to defeat Radford, 8-3, and clinch the series.

Senior Jessie Hutchens went 2-for-3 with her 16^th home run of the season and two RBI. The catcher also gunned out two would be base stealers on the day. With the long ball, she moved into a tie for second with Kristen Shifflett on the single-season list and fourth on the all-time charts (31) with Melissa Pickel (1995-97, 99).

The Highlanders (20-22, 12-6), hit two more home runs this afternoon and six for the series agianst a Coastal pitching staff that had allowed just 17 (46 games) coming into the series. It also brought their single-season total to 50, the fourth highest in a season and the first time with 50 or more since 2010 (74).

Trailing 2-0, the Chanticleers (35-14, 17-4 Big South) scored eight of the next nine runs to pick up the victory. They took advantage of three Highlander miscues that led to five of the first six runs being unearned.

Radford jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first thanks to Hutchens' long ball, a two-run shot to left.

That lead did not last long as Coastal put up four runs in the top of the second, three of which came with two outs and were unearned. Kory Hayden led off with a solo home run to center. An error on a sac bunt proved costly as Bri Chiusano's two-run single keyed the two-out rally.

Junior Mackenzie Blackwell got one of those runs back with a leadoff home run off the leftfield light pole in the bottom of the second. Her third round tripper of the season cut the deficit to 4-3 and was the program's 50th of the season.

Freshman Abby Morrow, who came in and go the final out of the second kept the Highlanders in the ball game until a couple of miscues and a two-run double by Sara Rasley extended the lead to 6-3. Morgan Noad closed out the scoring with a two-run home run in the seventh. Morrow surrendered two earned runs on five hits with three strikeouts and a walk.

Hayden, Chiusano and Kiana Quolas each went 2-for-3 for the Chanticleers at the plate. Chiusano registered two runs, two RBI and two stolen bases. Ashley Bagwell picked up the win in five innings of shutout relief.

Sophomore Rachael Walters suffered the defeat as she was not able to get out of the second. She only allowed one earned run on four hits and a walk.

The Highlanders wrap up the home portion of their schedule this weekend against Gardner-Webb. On April 26, Radford's first game of the doubleheader will be broadcasted on ESPN3. The day also marks the dedication of the newly renovated stadium with a special ceremony prior to the first game.

Sunday's finale will be senior day and a pink game. The Highlanders will honor their two seniors, Hutchens and Stephanie Dameron, while also raising cancer awareness.

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