DAVIS POWERS SEASON-HIGH RUN OUTPUT; SOFTBALL COMPLETES SERIES SWEEP OF PC, 11-0

BOX SCORE Follow @RadfordSoftball Tweet #RUSB

RADFORD, Va. – Powered by Whitney Davis' school-record six RBI, Radford closed out its home-opening weekend with an 11-0 five-inning win over Presbyterian, completing a Big South series sweep.

Following a season-high 11 runs today, the Highlanders' (12-19, 6-3 Big South) offense hit six home runs for the second straight league series and the pitching staff shut out the Blue Hose (19-19, 4-8) on just five hits in 19 innings of work.

Davis finished 2-for-2 with a grand slam and two runs. She became the fourth Highlander to record six RBI in a single contest and the first since Hannah Ojeda's performance against Toledo (3/9/11). Her first collegiate grand slam provided the only runs of the game the Highlanders would need.

Not to be overshadowed was sophomore Rachael Walters' second straight dominant performance in the circle. The lefty continued where she left off yesterday, tossing 4.1 more innings shutout ball and allowing just one base hit. She retired the first nine batters for the second straight contest and finished with five strikeouts and one walk to improve to 6-8.

Following a 10-pitch top of the first by Walters, it didn't take long for Radford to get on the board. Two hit batters and an error loaded the bases for Davis with no outs. Battling back from a 0-2 hole, she rocketed a 3-2 pitch well over the centerfield fence.

The Highlanders would score three more in the second on just one hit, and four more in the third. Davis provided an RBI in each frame, just missing a second grand slam in the second (sac fly to fence) and a two-out RBI single in the third.

Also knocking in runs in the third were senior Jessie Hutchens (sac fly), freshman Summer Robinson (double) and freshman Kayla Bishton (single).

Robinson was 2-for-3 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI. Hutchens knocked in two runs without an official at bat (2 HBP, sac fly). Sophomore Nia Chiles was 1-for-3 with a career-best three runs scored.

Sophomore Becky Mantel was hit in the first for the 16^th time this season and has tied the all-time mark held by Kristen Shifflett (2008-11).

Radford remains at home, hosting Liberty in a midweek Big South series starting on Tuesday, April 8 at 4:00 p.m.

Print Friendly Version