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Radford University Athletics

Home Of The RadFord Highlanders RadFord Highlanders
Bishton vs. Campbell
4
Radford RADFORD 6-16
5
Winner Elon ELON 19-8
Radford RADFORD
6-16
4
Final
5
Elon ELON
19-8
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Radford RADFORD 0 1 3 0 0 0 0 4 5 1
Elon ELON 1 0 0 1 2 0 1 5 6 4

W: Caruso, Kayla (6-0) L: Brown, Tiffany (0-7)

Game Recap: Softball |

SOFTBALL EDGED OUT BY PHOENIX IN SEVENTH

ELON, N.C. ---- The Radford softball team rallied with four consecutive runs after falling behind early to Elon at the Hunt Softball Park on Tuesday afternoon, but was unable to close out the contest, falling 5-4, to the Phoenix.
 
"That was a tough loss because we had control of the game," said head coach Maggie White. "It comes down to learning how to close out games and playing with a lead. We need to be tougher with a lead, but I am proud of the effort we put forth. You can't question the fact we wanted to win that game. We need to learn how to shut down an offense though when we have a lead."
 
Five different Highlanders accounted for the team's five hits. Casey Burns went 1-3 with a leadoff home run in the third inning. Burns has a team-high nine extra base hits. Kayla Bishton went 1-3 as well, highlighted by a stand up double. Bishton has three doubles on the year and five extra base hits. She is one of two to have a double, triple and home run this season.
 
Taylor Asimakopoulos started in the circle, pitching 3.1 innings. Asimakopoulos gave up one earned run on two hits. After giving up a solo home run in the bottom of the first, she settled down to strike out two and only allow two walks in 15 batters faced. Kelsey Weddle came in as relief in the fourth inning, logging 2.2 innings of work. Weddle gave up two earned on two hits with one strikeout. Tiffany Brown closed the contest, surrendering one run and two hits.
 
After holding Radford (6-16, 2-3 BSC) scoreless for the final three innings, Elon (19-8, 1-2 CAA) notched the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh. A single and a walk put two runners on with one out before a hit by pitch loaded the bases. On a 2-1 count, Emily Cameron laced a ball down the left side to score the game's final run. 
 
The Phoenix struck in the bottom of the first with two outs on the board. Kara Shutt battled her way past a full count, sending the 14th pitch of the at bat over the right field wall for a solo home run.
 
The Highlanders responded immediately in the top of the second after Mackenzie Blackwell swiped two bases before being brought home on an RBI single to left field off the bat of Summer Robinson. Blackwell reached on a single hit to centerfield.
 
Radford took the lead in the top of the third on a solo homer by Burns to left-center field. It was Burns' second home run of the season and ninth extra base hit of the year. Bishton kept the inning alive with a standup double off the wall in right. After a pitch hit Blackwell, Robinson fired a grounder at the third baseman that was mishandled and allowed Bishton to score. Robinson had her eyes set on second, taking off to steal and allowing Blackwell to score with the Elon defense concerned about Robinson on the base path.
 
The Phoenix cut into the three-run deficit in the bottom of the fourth with one run. Elon loaded the bases with one out. Weddle came in to pitch and got an early strikeout to hold the runners. She walked the next batter making it a 4-2 ballgame.
 
The Phoenix gave the game its second tie of the day on a two-run homer by Emily Roper. With two out, Shutt beat out the throw to first on a grounder played to second base. Roper sent the second pitch she saw over the left-center wall for the game's third long ball, second by Elon.
 
Radford resumes Big South Conference play with a three-game series at the Radford Softball Stadium against Charleston Southern from March 28-29. First pitch on Saturday against the Buccaneers is slated for 1 p.m. The front head of the doubleheader will air on ESPN3 with Mike Gleason and Nathan Ross on the call.
 
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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