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Radford University Athletics

Home Of The RadFord Highlanders RadFord Highlanders
Gardiner at Auburn
3
Youngstown State YSU 2-5
15
Winner Radford RAD 7-8
Youngstown State YSU
2-5
3
Final
15
Radford RAD
7-8
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Youngstown State YSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 10 3
Radford RAD 0 4 0 2 1 5 3 0 X 15 11 1

W: Ross, Austin (1-0) L: WIGHT, Jared (0-1)

Game Recap: Baseball |

OFFENSE ERUPTS IN 15-3 VICTORY OVER YOUNGSTOWN STATE

RADFORD, Va. – Five Highlanders recorded at least two RBI Wednesday night in fueling Radford to a 15-3 win over Youngstown State in nonconference baseball action at Radford Baseball Stadium. Hunter Higgerson led the way with four runs batted in, highlighted by a three-run homer over the left center wall in the sixth inning.
 
"We handled our business," said head coach Joe Raccuia. "We had some big hits and were afforded some free bases, but we played a lot better than we did yesterday. We were disappointed in how we finished the first game, and this is a game for us to build off of.  We just to need to settle in and play well. We get a chance to play Marist this weekend and win some pitches and win at bats."
 
Nine different Highlanders (7-8) tallied hits in the contest, with Josh Gardiner and Shane Johnsonbaugh notching two. Gardiner went 2-2 at the dish with two runs scored and another two batted in. Johnsonbaugh scored three runners on his two hits and scored another two runs of his own. Trevor Riggs and Higgerson recorded home runs in the rout. Riggs' second homer of the year came in the fifth inning on a solo shot to right. Higgerson's long ball was just an inning later and his second of the season as well.  
 
Austin Ross earned the win on the hill in his first start of 2015. Ross struck out a career-best five batters in four innings of work. He limited the Penguins (2-5) to just two hits and no runs. Five pitchers saw action of the bullpen for Radford, with Jeff Maxwell seeing the most action with 1.1 innings. Maxwell, along with all the pitchers who came in as relief, collected two strikeouts.
 
Youngstown State stranded 13 base runners on 10 hits. Frank Califano, Joe King and Shane Willoughby had a team-high two hits each. Willoughby spoiled the Highlanders' shutout in the top of the ninth inning with a double hit to left center to score three runners.
 
Jared Wight was awarded the loss after surrendering four runs on five hits in the second inning. The Penguins called upon five relievers to finish out the series finale. Austin Lujano, who saw action in Tuesday's matchup, gave up one run on one hit in two innings on the mound.
 
After a scoreless first inning, Radford broke open the game in the second with four runs. Back-to-back singles put runners in scoring position for Riggs, who scored one on a groundout to first. Consecutive doubles from Gardiner and Johnsonbaugh brought two more across the plate, as an ensuing walk and pair of hit batters scored the fourth run of the frame.
 
Runs in the fourth and fifth inning gave the Highlanders a 7-0 advantage heading to the sixth, where Radford ruined all hopes of a Youngstown State comeback. A walk and hit batter placed runners on base before Higgerson cranked a long ball over the left center wall, just missing the newly added video board. Five walks in the next seven at bats notched two more runs for Radford, extending its lead to 12-0. The Penguins walked 11 batters throughout the game.
 
The Highlanders return to the field Friday for the series opener against Marist, which is set for a 4 p.m. first pitch at Radford Baseball Stadium.
 
For the latest news on the Radford baseball team, follow the Highlanders on Twitter at @RadfordBaseball. To keep up with all Radford athletics, follow @RU_Athletics on Twitter.

 
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