SOFTBALL SPLITS WITH GARDNER-WEBB IN BIG SOUTH DOUBLEHEADER

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RADFORD, Va. – Radford scored five runs in the first and held on for a 5-2 win in game two, earning a Big South doubleheader split with Gardner-Webb on Saturday afternoon at RU Softball Field. The Bulldogs (16-34, 6-16 Big South scored three runs in the ninth to pick up a 3-0 extra inning victory in the opener.

Game 2: Radford 5, Gardner-Webb 2

Powered by a five-run first and a solid outing in the circle by freshman Abby Morrow, Radford (21-23, 13-7) earned a split with a 5-2 victory over Gardner-Webb.

Leading 5-1, the Highlanders had a scare in the seventh. The Bulldogs loaded the bases, which prompted the reentry of Morrow. After a chopper through the right side made it a 5-2 game, she induced a comebacker for a force out at home and a grounder to third to slam the door shut on the threat and unofficially save her own win.

In all, Morrow (9-5) allowed a run on six hits, struck out six and did not walk a batter in 6.2 innings of work.

Radford batted around as it grabbed an early 5-0 lead. The Highlanders recorded four hits in the frame and took advantage of three Bulldog errors. Senior Jessie Hutchens staked RU to a 1-0 lead with a sac fly to left. Two-out RBI singles by freshmen Kayla Bishton and Ashleigh Harris as well as two more errors plated the other four runs.

Hutchens sac fly and RBI, moved her into ties for second (8) and ninth (114) all-time in those respective categories.

Sophomore Becky Mantel recorded a pair of hits for the Highlanders.

Samantha Meenaghan went 3-for-4 with a RBI for the Bulldogs. Alyssa Guitierrez went the distance, allowing just one earned run on seven hits. She struck out three and walked one.

Game 1: Gardner-Webb 3, Radford 0 (9)

Jessica Childers tossed a five-hit shutout and Gardner-Webb scored three times with two outs in the top of the ninth and to take the opener, 3-0. Taylar Pridgen infield chopper to second proved the game-winning hit. Meenaghan added two insurance runs with a two-run home run.

Childers struck out nine and walked two, while Pridgen went 3-for-4 with a RBI and run for the Bulldogs.

Hutchens was 2-for-2 and reached base in all four plate appearances (walk, HBP) for the Highlanders. Sophomore Rachael Walters held the Bulldogs scoreless through 8.2 innings, but surrendered the final three runs to take the loss. She struck out three and walked one.

Each team had chances to score during the first seven innings, but stranded a total of 15 runners, eight for Gardner-Webb and seven for Radford. The Bulldogs stranded two runners in each of the first three innings and the seventh. The Highlanders stranded a couple of runners in the fifth, sixth and ninth.

The team will play the rubber game of the series tomorrow, April 27 at 1:00 p.m. Prior the contest, Radford will recognize its seniors, Jessie Hutchens and Stephanie Dameron.

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