RADFORD AND WINTHROP MEET IN BIG SOUTH BATTLE

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RADFORD, Va. – Looking to build off momentum gained from the New River Valley series, Radford travels to the Palmetto State for a three-game Big South matchup against Winthrop. The Highlanders have owned the Eagles of late, taking nine out of the last 13 contests. Radford can gain ground in the middle of the logjam Big South standings with a strong performance in the series.

SETTING THE STAGE
- Series: Winthrop leads 52-35
- Location: Winthrop Ballpark (Rock Hill, S.C.)
- Video (Saturday's game will be nationally televised by the American Sports Network, click here for a list of available channels)
- Live Stats
- Game Notes (Radford | Winthrop)

ON THE BUMP
Friday, April 15 – 6:00 p.m.
LHP Zack Ridgely (2-3, 3.02) vs. LHP Sam Kmiec (4-4, 3.81)
Saturday, April 16 – 3:00 p.m.
RHP Dylan Nelson (0-7, 5.02) vs. RHP Zach Sightler (4-2, 3.74)
Sunday, April 17 – 2:00 p.m.
LHP Mitchell MacKeith (3-2, 4.35) vs. LHP Thad Harris (2-3, 4.59)

LAST MEETING (May 22, 2015)

Radford advanced to its second Big South Tournament Championship game in program history with a 4-2 win over Winthrop in the tournament semifinals.
With two outs in the bottom of the first, the Highlanders plated two early runs on Danny Hrbek and Aaron Scoville RBI singles up the middle.
Commanding a 2-0 lead through the first five innings, RU starter Dylan Nelson allowed only one Winthrop hit.
Winthrop got to Nelson in the sixth, loading the bases, eventually scoring its first run on a bases loaded walk by John Menken. One batter later, the Eagles knotted the game at two on a Babe Thomas sacrifice fly.
The game's dramatics intensified in the seventh inning. With one out and runners on the corners, Winthrop's Tyler Asbill struck out swinging at a Daniel Bridgeman breaking ball in the dirt. It bounced away from Josh 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-center field 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.

HIGHLANDER HIGHLIGHTS

Record: 9-24, 3-6 Big South
Radford is coming off its New River Valley rivalry series win for the second consecutive season, taking a 5-1 over Virginia Tech at historic Calfee Park on Wednesday.
The Highlanders added two early runs on RBI singles by Jonathan Gonzalez and Chris Coia. With a 2-1 lead, Shane Johnsonbaugh broke the game wide open for the Highlanders with a two-run blast over the right-center field wall, bringing the Radford dominated crowd to its feet.
RU pitchers yielded only four hits and one unearned run in the win, striking out eight Hokies in the process.
Johnsonbaugh's two-run round tripper was the senior's second multi-run home run on the year. The left-handed swinger has belted a team-high five home runs, giving him 12 in his career. The home run was the first by a Highlander since March 26 at Longwood.
Danny Hrbek continues to be one of the toughest outs in the country, being held hitless in only six contests this season. Hrbek has reached base safely in 29 of his 32 starts.
Colby Higgerson seems to be feeling more comfortable at the plate in his freshman campaign. The shortstop has collected a hit in six of his last seven games. Higgerson is 11 for 25 over the last six games. The span has saw three two-hit performances and one three-hit performance.
In nine conference games, Higgerson is 10 for 28 with four runs scored and eight RBIs.
Only a sophomore, Zack Ridgely has developed into ace for the Highlanders. In three conference starts this season, Ridgely holds a 1-1 record and 2.78 ERA. The lefty has allowed only seven earned runs in 22.2 innings pitched, racking up 17 strikeouts in league play.
Since Joe Raccuia took over in 2008, Radford is 18-9 against the Eagles.

SCOUTING WINTHROP

Record: 16-17, 4-5 Big South
Winthrop is currently on a five-game losing streak, dropping a 9-2 decision to in-state foe Wofford, Wednesday night. The losing steak has saw the Eagles be outscored 31-10.
Sporting a .282 team average, the Eagles possess three players hitting over .300 and two with a .280-plus average. Mark Lowrie ranks 12^th in the Big South with a .362 average.
Five players have 40 or more hits through 33 games.
Anthony Paulsen leads the Eagles with 47 hits and 36 runs scored, while swiping seven bags in nine attempts. Paulsen leads the Big South in runs scored.
Carrying one of the most dangerous bats in the lineup, Roger Gonzalez holds a .333/.508/.425 line.
Gonzalez leads the Eagles with 30 RBIs, 10 doubles and three home runs.
Winthrop has been without its ace and Big South Preseason Pitcher of the Year Matt Crohan for most of the season. Crohan has not pitched since March 4. The MLB Draft prospect posted a 2-0 record with a 2.37 ERA in three starts.
Zach Sightler and Sam Kmiec have picked up the slack for the Eagles. Sightler is holding opposing batters to a .237 average, going 4-2 with a 3.74 ERA in eight starts. Kmiec is 4-4 with a 3.81 ERA in eight starts.
The Eagles do not have a reliever with an ERA under 5.00.

UP NEXT

The Highlanders travel to in-state foe Virginia on Tuesday for a Commonwealth clash set for 6 p.m. first pitch.
Radford joins Louisville as the only two programs in the country to play the past two national champions (Virginia and Vanderbilt) during the 2016 season.
Virginia leads the all-time series 18-4-1.

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