RADFORD LOOKING TO AVENGE EARLY SEASON LOSS TO ETSU

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RADFORD, Va. – Radford continues its non-conference stretch of games as the Highlanders host border rival East Tennessee State tomorrow in the final matchup of the 2016 season. The contest will be the last midweek game for the Highlanders until May 17. Radford is 8-9 versus the Buccaneers under the Raccuia regime. The non-conference clash is set for a 6 p.m. first pitch.

SETTING THE STAGE
- Series: ETSU leads 24-17
- Location: RU Baseball Stadium (Radford, Va.)
- Audio
- Live Stats
- Game Notes

ON THE BUMP
Tuesday, April 26 – 6 p.m.
RHP Preston Taylor (3-4, 6.75) vs. LHP Tyler Swarmer (2-3, 4.83)

LAST MEETING (March 29, 2016 – ETSU 6, Radford 5)

Radford allowed four runs over the final two frames as ETSU sealed a 6-5 comeback victory over the Highlanders, Tuesday night at a frigid Thomas Stadium. The RU bullpen surrender the four runs on two hits and two walks in 3.1 innings of relief.
The Highlanders jumped out to a 2-1 lead on a Trevor Riggs RBI single in the first and a Colby Higgerson sac bunt in the fourth.
ETSU tied the game at two on a solo home run from Kevin Phillips to start the bottom half of the inning.
Following two scoreless frames, Radford broke the contest wide open in the top of the seventh. Chris Coia led off the inning with a single through the right side. Shane Johnsonbaugh followed with another single to right as Coia hustled into third to put Highlanders on the corners.
The Highlanders broke the 2-2 tie on a Riggs fielders' choice bunt to the Buccaneer first basemen as Coia slid in head first at home to beat the tag. Riggs' third sac bunt on the year gave the Highlanders a 3-2 lead.
Johnsonbaugh and Riggs moved into scoring position on a wild pitch as the ETSU catcher was unable to locate the ball. Already extending his hitting streak to 10 games in the opening inning, Jonathan Gonzalez singled a 3-2 pitch up the middle, emptying the bases for a 5-2 Highlander lead.
Four outs from closing out the ballgame, ETSU loaded the bases on two walks and a hit by pitch from the Highlander bullpen. Blake Rowlett lined a single into center field, plating two runs, pulling the Buccaneers within 5-4. One batter later, Robby McCabe tied the game at five on a RBI sacrifice bunt.
Unable to get anything going in the top of the ninth, Radford looked to close out the bottom half and send the game to extra innings.
ETSU continued its late inning rally as Trey York led off the bottom of the inning with a single to center field. Following two fly outs, an errant throw from Kyle Zurak on a pickoff attempt to first base allowed York to take off. After Jordan Taylor chased down the ball, he fired to third in attempt to nab a greedy York. The throw sailed over Danny Hrbek 's head, allowing York to score for the game winning run on two Radford errors.

HIGHLANDER HIGHLIGHTS

Record: 11-29
Radford is coming off a 1-3 stretch versus non-conference Commonwealth foes. The Highlanders salvaged the weekend series against George Mason in an 8-7 victory on Sunday.
The Highlanders had been outscored 22-6 on the week, before earning the win on Sunday.
In three-game series versus George Mason, Radford's bullpen only yielded three runs in 13.2 innings, combining for 15 strikeouts.
Travis McQueen punched out a career-high eight batters in a career-high 4.1 innings of relief as Radford held on for an 8-7 victory over George Mason on Sunday.
McQueen now has 38 strikeouts in 29.2 innings pitched, leading the Highlander bullpen. The senior has punched out 22 batters in 14 innings pitched at home.
After a slow start to the season, Shane Johnsonbaugh's season has turned around. The senior went 4 for 15 with four RBIs, two runs scored, a double and triple. Johnsonbaugh collected a hit in all four games on the week, while extending his on-base streak to 10 games.
Jordan Taylor and Adam Whitacre have found success in the batter's box at home. Taylor is hitting .367 (11-30) with seven runs scored, two doubles and four RBIs. Whitacre has posted a .333 average, going 10 for 30 with six runs scored, a home run and three RBIs.
Colby Higgerson has driven in 11 of his 18 RBIs at home. Danny Hrbek follows with 10 of his 18 RBIs coming in the friendly confines of RU Baseball Stadium.
Radford is 21-36 versus teams from the Volunteer State.

SCOUTING ETSU

Record: 16-23
ETSU is coming off a threw-game sweep at UNC Greensboro and will conclude its nine-game road trip at Radford.
The Buccaneers have been outscored 91-63 over the last eight games, dropping seven of eight.
In the three-game series in Greensboro, N.C., Trey York finished 4 for 12 with five RBIs, three runs scored, three stolen bases, a double and home run.
Kevin Phillips went 4 for 14 with four RBIs, two doubles and two runs scored.
Swinging a hot bat all season, York leads the Bucs with a .386 average, ranking sixth in the Southern Conference.
The senior also leads the team in hits (61), runs (44), RBIs (41), doubles (17), stolen bases (14) and home runs (11).
ETSU sports six players with a .300-plus average and two hitting .280-plus, ranking third in the SoCon with a .308 team batting average.
The Bucs possess a 7.25 team ERA, ranking last in the SoCon. ETSU has allowed 280 earned runs in 347.2 innings pitched.
Tuesday night's starter Blake Smith holds the lowest ERA at 5.72. The righty has allowed 32 earned runs in 50.1 innings, while striking out 41 batters.

UP NEXT

Radford continues its homestand on Friday with a three-game Big South series versus Gardner-Webb.
The Highlanders swept the 2015 series, outscoring the Runnin' Bulldogs 14-8.
The all-time series is tied 8-8 with Radford taking six out of the last seven meetings.

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