JOHNSONBAUGH TIES IT IN NINTH, RADFORD BEATS ASHEVILLE IN 10

BOX SCORE ASHEVILLE, N.C. - For the second straight night, Radford (29-19, 14-9) rallied late to defeat UNC Asheville (13-35, 4-18), this time 4-2 in 10 innings. With RU trailing 2-0 and down to its final out, Shane Johnsonbaugh lined a two-run double to right field to tie the game. The Highlanders then took the lead on a throwing error by the Bulldogs in the 10th and moved to 10 games above .500 for the first time this season.

Radford starter Michael Boyle spread out 10 hits over 8.0 innings, but gave up two runs on four hits in the opening frame. He struck out eight and walked just one in a no-decision. Ryan Meisinger (5-1) worked 2.0 scoreless innings of relief in the ninth and 10th to earn his fifth victory of the season.

It looked as though Asheville starter Joe Zayatz would make those two runs stand up. Zayatz worked 8.0 innings and faced Josh Reavis, who singled to lead off the ninth, before being lifted. Prior to the base hit to start the ninth, Zayatz had put down 14 straight Highlanders. Nick Schavone threw one pitch to retire Patrick Marshall in a lefty-vs.-lefty matchup, and Ethan Steible came in to face the heart of the RU lineup. He (0-6) walked Alexander Lee and got Hunter Higgerson to line out before Johnsonbaugh sent the game to extra innings.

Steible ended up taking the loss in the 10th. He hit Brad Keen to lead off the innings and gave up a single to Chris Coia. Josh Gardiner laid down a sac bunt that was fielded by Steible and his errant throw at first base gave RU its first lead. Nygeal Andrews drew a bases loaded walk later in the inning to drive in an insurance run for Radford.

Higgerson, Reavis, and Coia each collected two hits for Radford. Robert McIntosh was 3-4 for the Bulldogs.

The two teams will complete the series at Greenwood Field on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.

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