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Radford University Athletics

Home Of The RadFord Highlanders RadFord Highlanders
Josh Reavis
Big South Sports Photos
2
Winthrop WUBB 40-19
4
Winner Radford RAD 42-14
Winthrop WUBB
40-19
2
Final
4
Radford RAD
42-14
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Winthrop WUBB 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 8 0
Radford RAD 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 X 4 6 2

W: Bridgeman, Daniel (6-2) L: Green, Michael (2-1) S: Meisinger, Ryan (15)

Game Recap: Baseball |

RADFORD EARNS BERTH IN BIG SOUTH TITLE GAME WITH 4-2 WIN OVER WINTHROP

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BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - Josh Reavis turned in the defensive play of the game to prevent Winthrop from taking the lead in the seventh and then hit a two-run go-ahead home run in the bottom of the eighth to lead Radford (42-14) to a 4-2 victory over the Eagles (40-19) and a berth in the Big South Tournament, presented by Hardee's and Enterprise Rent-A-Car, championship game Friday at J.H. Moss Stadium.

"It was a tournament atmosphere where every pitch counted," Radford head coach Joe Raccuia said. "You have to commend their right-hander. He's a bullpen guy who gave them 115 really good pitches. He didn't make many mistakes until he gave Josh [Reavis] something to hit."

Radford scored twice in the first and held that lead until the sixth when Winthrop tied the game with a pair of runs charged to starter Dylan Nelson. Daniel Bridgeman put out the fire in the sixth to keep the game tied. And it was Reavis who kept the game even in the seventh.

With one out and runners on the corners , WU's Tyler Asbill struck out swinging at a Bridgeman breaking ball in the dirt. It bounced away from Reavis, and Jace Whitley broke from third to try and give the Eagles their first lead of the game. Reavis made a diving tag to complete the double play and get the Highlanders out of the jam.

The dramatics for the Radford captain were not done, however. With one out in the eighth, he lifted a 1-0 fastball from Winthrop starter Michael Green over the left-centerfield wall to give RU a 4-2 lead and its first berth in the conference title game in 22 years. Radford has been to the championship just once in its history, in 1993.

"Reavis is our leader, by far," Raccuia said. "To see a home run off his bat in that situation, he is probably more deserving than any other player in our program."

It was the senior catcher who began the two-run inning in the first with a single to right field. He later scored on Danny Hrbek's RBI single, and Patrick Marshall, who walked after Reavis, came in on an run-scoring base hit by Aaron Scoville.

Nelson pitched a solid 5.1 innings, but got in trouble in the sixth when the Eagles put together three base hits to load the bases. A bases loaded walk to Josh Menken ended Nelson's day and brought Bridgeman into the game. He allowed a sac fly, but then retired the side with the go-ahead run at third base.

"I though Nelson did a good job until he lost command of his breaking ball," Raccuia said. "Bridgeman came in and settled things down, and Ryan Meisinger did what he does with three punchouts in the ninth."

The three strikeouts for the RU closer came after he gave up a pair of base hits without an out in the ninth. He then fanned the next three he faced to record his 15th save of the season. Bridgeman improved to 6-2 on the season with the win going 2.2 innings and allowing two hits.

Radford won its 14th straight game, which extends the school record and will face Coastal Carolina in Saturday's final. The Chanticleers defeated High Point, 9-3, in the day's other semifinal. First pitch is set for 4:00 p.m.
 
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