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Baseball

HIGHLANDERS HOST KENT STATE FOR LAST MARCH HOME WEEKEND SERIES



RADFORD, Va. – Radford returns to RU Baseball Stadium for its last home series of March, hosting Kent State for the first meeting between the two foes. The Highlanders are looking to pick up a couple of wins on their home turf as RU will play eight out of its next nine games on the road.
 
SETTING THE STAGE
-  Series: First Meeting
-  Location: RU Baseball Stadium (Radford, Va.)
-  Audio
-  Live Stats
-  Series Notes (Radford | Kent State)

ON THE BUMP
Friday, March 11 – 4 p.m.
LHP Eric Lauer (1-1, 2.55) vs. RHP Dylan Nelson (0-2, 2.40)
Saturday, March 12 – 2 p.m.
RHP Andy Ravel (2-0, 4.58) vs. LHP Zack Ridgely (1-1, 3.20)
Sunday, March 13 – 1 p.m.
LHP Eli Kraus (1-1, 2.65) vs. LHP Mitchell MacKeith (1-0, 0.00)
 
 
HIGHLANDER HIGHLIGHTS
  • Record: 2-11
  • Radford is fresh off a two-game series in the Music City versus No. 2 Vanderbilt. The Commodores earned the series sweep, outscoring the Highlanders 25-4.
  • The Highlanders four runs in the series came in a 13-4 loss on March 8. Trevor Riggs launched a three-run home run in the top of the fifth and Colby Higgerson singled in a run in the ninth inning.
  • RU saw its bullpen strikeout 10 batters in nine innings of relief in the two-game series.
  • Tossing a season-high 2.1 innings on March 9, Kyle Zurak struck out a career-high four batters.
  • With a team batting average of .195, Danny Hrbek has been the lone bright spot in the RU lineup. The junior second baseman ranks ninth in the Big South with a .386 average. Hrbek also leads the Highlanders in hits (17) and doubles (3). In 44 plate appearances, Hrbek has only been struck out two times.
  • Radford's weekend rotation has been strong, combining for a 2.29 ERA in 43.2 innings pitched. The trio of Nelson, Ridgely and MacKeith have only allowed 11 earned runs.
  • With five hit by pitches through 13 games, Shane Johnsonbaugh has been hit 18 times in his career, ranking 13th in program history.
  • Opponents have had their way on the base paths, going 19 for 22 in stolen base attempts.
 
SCOUTING KENT STATE
  • Record: 7-3
  • Kent State is coming off a three-game sweep over UNC Charlotte. In the series, the Golden Flashes outscored the 49ers, 26-12.
  • The Golden Flash offense has been led by Zarley Zalewski and Luke Burch early this season. Zalewski leads the team with a .357 average and two home runs. Burch has provided the runs, driving in 11 through the first 10 games. The duo has 15 hits each, while combing for 15 runs scored.
  • Kent State is a doubles machine; the Golden Flashes have tallied 19 keystone hits.
  • Seven Golden Flashes sport a .286 average or better, including five with 10-plus hits.
  • After dropping its first three games of the season, Kent State has rattled off seven wins in a row, outscoring opponents 54-29 during the span.
  • During the streak the Golden Flash lineup has combined for a .302 average.
  • Eric Lauer a Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List member has posted a 2.55 ERA, while striking out 16 batters in 17.2 innings pitched. The 2015 season saw Lauer go 5-4 with a 1.98 ERA, 103 strikeouts and 26 walks.
  • The Golden Flashes sport one of the best pitching staffs and lineups in the Mid-American Conference, ranking first in ERA (3.80) and second in average (.279).
  • For the sixth straight season, Kent State was selected to win the MAC. The 2012 season saw the Golden Flashes become the first MAC team to make it to the NCAA College Series since 1976.
  • Kent State is 2-2 on the season against teams from the Commonwealth.
 
UP NEXT
  • The Highlanders will travel to West Virginia for a March 15 matchup. Action Monongalia County Ballpark is slated for a 3 p.m. start.
  • West Virginia leads the all-time series 4-5-1.
  • Radford earned a 9-4 victory on its home turf during the 2015 season.  
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Players Mentioned

Danny Hrbek

#7 Danny Hrbek

INF/P
5' 11"
Junior
L/R
Shane Johnsonbaugh

#22 Shane Johnsonbaugh

OF
5' 11"
Senior
L/R
Mitchell MacKeith

#5 Mitchell MacKeith

LHP
5' 10"
Senior
L/L
Dylan Nelson

#12 Dylan Nelson

RHP
6' 2"
Senior
L/R
Zack Ridgely

#26 Zack Ridgely

LHP
5' 11"
Sophomore
L/L
Trevor Riggs

#8 Trevor Riggs

OF
6' 0"
Sophomore
R/R
Kyle Zurak

#15 Kyle Zurak

RHP
6' 1"
Junior
R/R
Colby Higgerson

#20 Colby Higgerson

INF
6' 1"
Freshman
R/R

Players Mentioned

Danny Hrbek

#7 Danny Hrbek

5' 11"
Junior
L/R
INF/P
Shane Johnsonbaugh

#22 Shane Johnsonbaugh

5' 11"
Senior
L/R
OF
Mitchell MacKeith

#5 Mitchell MacKeith

5' 10"
Senior
L/L
LHP
Dylan Nelson

#12 Dylan Nelson

6' 2"
Senior
L/R
RHP
Zack Ridgely

#26 Zack Ridgely

5' 11"
Sophomore
L/L
LHP
Trevor Riggs

#8 Trevor Riggs

6' 0"
Sophomore
R/R
OF
Kyle Zurak

#15 Kyle Zurak

6' 1"
Junior
R/R
RHP
Colby Higgerson

#20 Colby Higgerson

6' 1"
Freshman
R/R
INF