Softball 2/7/2015 7:53:00 PM

SOFTBALL STUMBLES AGAINST SPARTANS, EDGED OUT BY PHOENIX IN EXTRAS

BOX SCORE 1 | BOX SCORE 2 Game 1
USC Upstate 9 :: Radford 1 :: Box Score :: Photo Gallery

Game 2
Elon 6 :: Radford 5 :: Box Score :: Photo Gallery

ELON, N.C. ---- The Radford softball dropped its opening games of 2015 on Saturday at the Elon Tournament in Elon, N.C. The Highlanders fell to USC Upstate, 9-1, in the morning and then were edged out in the afternoon by Elon, 6-5, in extra innings.

"Overall, we got stronger as the day went on," said head coach Maggie White. "We were tight and anxious to start against a good team. We then saw Elon, who just defeat Upstate, and we fought with them. I saw a lot of good things, and we found a way to battle. It just didn't go our way. Everyone gave it their all today, and with the first game out of the way now it will come together."

Nia Chiles led Radford with three hits on the day with six plate appearances. Marissa Gagliano tallied three RBI, all coming against the Phoenix in game two of the day. Brittany Wratchford and Maggie Rowe both had strong showings as pinch hitters. Wratchford recorded her first career homerun, while Rowe was 1-2 with an RBI. Abby Morrow started game one in the circle and finished game two, totaling 8.2 innings of work. Kelsey Weddle threw five innings, giving up seven hits and striking out four batters.

In the afternoon's final game, the Red and White grabbed a 3-0 lead early, but gave up four unanswered runs to Elon before falling, 6-5, in the eighth inning. Kara Shutt singled to advance Hannah Olson, but an error in left field gave Olson and the Phoenix the winning run.

Facing a one-run deficit in the top of the sixth, Elon gave the game its third tie on a double by Emily Roper to score Hall.

After going down 4-3, the Highlanders battled back in the sixth inning with a pair of runs. Chiles singled after a lead off fly out from Blackwell. Gagliano moved the runner into scoring position with a single. Rowe then found a gap in right-center field to bring Chiles home. With two out, Whitney Davis singled to give Radford the lead once again.

The Phoenix tied the game in the bottom of the third with a pair of runs and then broke the 3-3 tie in the bottom of the fourth after Radford left the bases loaded.

The Highlanders took the lead in the top of the second with a two-run double from Gagliano. With two out, Blackwell and Chiles singled to bring Gagliano to the plate. The South Elgin, Ill., native fouled off three pitches to stay alive before connecting on a shot to left.

Elon responded in the bottom of the inning with a run from Emily Cameron, who reach base with a double and advanced home on the throw on a fielder's choice.

The Red and White dropped the day's opener to USC Upstate, 9-1, in six innings. Wratchford led Radford with her first career homerun. Morrow pitched four innings, giving up 10 hits and five earned runs.

The Spartans were led by Shellie Robinson's four RBI and 3-for-3 performance at the plate. Cheyenne Griffin drove home two more runs for the Spartans as Dana Landers recorded one RBI. Lexi Shubert earned the win for Upstate, giving up three hits and one earned run in five innings of work.

The Spartans cracked opened the game in the third inning with a three-run homer from Robinson. Back-to-back singles and an error would conclude the inning for USC Upstate. The Spartans posted two more in the fourth after Robinson tripled to drive in Landers and an error led to Robinson rounding the bases.

The Red and White's lone run came in the bottom of the fifth with Wratchford pinch hitting for Megan Honaker, who recorded Radford's first hit of the game in the first inning. Wratchford's shot came on a full count and no one on. It was the first homerun of her career.

Upstate closed the game at the end of the sixth with two more runs in the top of the inning to extend the lead to eight runs. Consecutive walks setup a two-run double for Griffin.

Radford returns to action tomorrow, Sunday, February 8, against Elon at noon.

For the latest news on the Radford softball team, follow the Highlanders on Twitter at @RadfordSoftball. To keep up with all Radford athletics, follow @RU_Athletics on Twitter.

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Players Mentioned

#7 Nia Chiles: UT; 5' 11"; Junior; L/R

#15 Whitney Davis: 3B; 5' 11"; Junior; R/R

#1 Megan Honaker: C/UT; 5' 3"; Junior; L/R

#2 Abby Morrow: P; 5' 10"; Sophomore; R/R

#11 Kelsey Weddle: P; 5' 10"; Senior; R/R

#23 Brittany Wratchford: IF; 5' 4"; Sophomore; R/R

#38 Maggie Rowe: C/1B; 5' 4"; Freshman; R/R

#5 Marissa Gagliano: OF/SS; 5' 4"; Freshman; L/R

Players Mentioned

#7 Nia Chiles
: 5' 11"; Junior; L/R
: UT

#15 Whitney Davis
: 5' 11"; Junior; R/R
: 3B

#1 Megan Honaker
: 5' 3"; Junior; L/R
: C/UT

#2 Abby Morrow
: 5' 10"; Sophomore; R/R
: P

#11 Kelsey Weddle
: 5' 10"; Senior; R/R
: P

#23 Brittany Wratchford
: 5' 4"; Sophomore; R/R
: IF

#38 Maggie Rowe
: 5' 4"; Freshman; R/R
: C/1B

#5 Marissa Gagliano
: 5' 4"; Freshman; L/R
: OF/SS