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Radford University Athletics

Home Of The RadFord Highlanders RadFord Highlanders
Jordan Taylor Kent State
8
Winner Kent State KENTST 10-3
3
Radford RAD 2-14
Winner
Kent State KENTST
10-3
8
Final
3
Radford RAD
2-14
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 R H E
Kent State KENTST 2 0 1 1 4 8 7 0
Radford RAD 0 0 0 0 3 3 7 1

W: Kraus, Eli (2-1) L: MacKeith, Mitchell (1-1)

Game Recap: Baseball |

RADFORD FALLS 8-3 TO KENT STATE IN RAIN-SHORTENED CONTEST



GAME INFORMATION
  • Score: Kent State 8, Radford 3 (5 Innings)
  • Records: Kent State (10-3) | Radford (2-14)
  • Location: RU Baseball Stadium | Radford, Va.  
                                      
RADFORD, Va. – Radford was unable to avoid the series sweep, falling 8-3 to Kent State in a rain-shortened finale of the three-game series, Sunday afternoon at a damp RU Baseball Stadium.
 
The Highlanders sent Mitchell MacKeith to the bump, looking for his third consecutive quality start. The senior lefty carried a 0.00 ERA into the start, but was short lived as Alex Miklos drilled a two-run home run over the leftfield wall in the top of the first.
 
Trailing 2-0, RU loaded the bases with two outs on a Danny Hrbek single and walks by Zack York and Shane Johnsonbaugh. The Highlanders were unable to capitalize as Trevor Riggs struck out to end the inning.  
 
Radford would load the bases for a second consecutive inning on three straight singles by Jonathan Gonzalez, Colby Higgerson and Chris Coia. Luke Wise popped up a bunt attempt for the first out and Jordan Taylor grounded into a 6-4-3 double play to end the Highlander threat.
 
Kent State would add a run in the third on a Mason Mamarella sacrifice fly and one in the fourth on Dylan Rosa's second home run of the series, giving the Golden Flashes a 4-0 lead.
 
Rosa struck again in the fifth with a three-run double off the top of the right field wall, extending the Kent State lead to 8-0.
 
With rain pouring down, Radford attempted a comeback in the bottom half of the inning. Coia led off the inning with a single through the right side. Adam Whitacre followed with a four-pitch walk to put RU runners on first and second. Looking for his first hit on the day, Taylor singled to shortstop, scoring Coia from second and advancing Whitacre to third base.
 
After plating its first run, Radford hoped the wet conditions would create more. Hrbek delivered a RBI groundout to first base, plating Whitacre from third to make the score 8-2. The Highlanders third run of the inning came on double off the right-center field wall from Johnsonbaugh.
 
After scoring three runs in the bottom of the fifth and the rain continuing to fall, luck was not on the Highlanders side as both coaches met at home plate to discuss the playing conditions. The game was ultimately called after a short discussion, giving Kent State the 8-3 series sweeping win.
 
The Highlanders return to action on Tuesday, traveling up to Morgantown, W.Va. for a 3 p.m. meeting against non-conference West Virginia.  
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
  • Win: Eli Kraus (2-1) (5 IP, 7 H, 3R/3ER, 3 BB, 2 K)
  • Loss: Mitchell MacKeith (1-1) (5 IP, 7 H, 8R/7ER, 2 BB, 4 K)
  • Chris Coia led RU with two hits, giving him three multi-hit games on the season and the 48th of his career.
  • With a double in the fifth inning, Shane Johnsonbaugh broke a 0 for 17 streak, giving the senior his first hit since March 4.
  • Jordan Taylor capped of a strong series going 3 for 6 with two RBI and a run scored.
  • The rain-shortened contest in the first for Radford since Feb. 22, 2015 in a 6-0 loss to Auburn in five innings.
  • Dylan Rosa drove in a career-high four RBI on two hits, giving him 14 RBI on the season.
  • Alex Miklos picked up three RBI on two hits for the Golden Flashes.
  • With the win, Kent State extends its winning streak to 10 games.

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