SEVEN-RUN SEVENTH INNING BY VMI DOOMS RADFORD IN 8-7 LOSS

Tuesday, April 5

RADFORD

5:00 PM

Radford University

8-21

VMI

16-17

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
VMI	0	0	0	0	0	1	7	0	0	8	11	2
Radford	0	3	1	0	0	0	2	1	0	7	11	2

SEVEN-RUN SEVENTH INNING BY VMI DOOMS RADFORD IN 8-7 LOSS

4/5/2016 10:00:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

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GAME INFORMATION

Score: VMI 8, Radford 7
Records: VMI (16-17) | Radford (8-21)
Location: RU Baseball Stadium | Radford, Va.

RADFORD, Va. – A seven-run seventh inning for VMI saw Radford's 4-1 lead disappear as the Highlanders were unable to mount a comeback in an 8-7 loss, Tuesday evening in a battle of Commonwealth foes.

After a scoreless first, Radford jumped on the Keydets early, plating three runs in the bottom of the second. Adam Whitacre started the inning with a single and Jordan Taylor followed with a hit by pitch. A wild pitch allowed the two runners to advance a base.

Making his first start since the 2014 season, Nygeal Andrews lined a single to right field, scoring Whitacre easily. Taylor would late score on Colby Higgerson's eighth sacrifice bunt of the season.

The Highlanders third run of the inning came on a Luke Wise fly out to left, scoring Andrews from third base.

Coming up with another key hit, Whitacre gave RU a 4-0 lead with a single in the bottom of the third frame

VMI got on the board in the sixth as Ryan Smoot led off the inning with a double, coming around to score on a David Geary single.

Trailing 4-1, the Keydet offense carried over into the seventh. VMI loaded the bases with one out and chaos ensued from the Highlander bullpen.

VMI plated seven runs on five hits and two errors, taking an 8-4 lead over Radford. The big inning was highlighted by two two-run singles from Matt Pita and Geary.

Radford got two runs back in the bottom half of the inning on a double steal by Trevor Riggs and Whitacre. Riggs swiped second, forcing a throw from the VMI catcher, Whitacre broke for home on the throw. The second run came on a RBI single by Higgerson.

Attempting a late inning comeback of their own, Danny Hrbek led off the eighth with a triple, later scoring on a wild pitch. The wild pitch pulled the Highlanders within one run.

Higgerson collected his second hit on the night in the bottom of the ninth, but the Highlanders were unable to push across the tying run, dropping the in-state battle 8-7.

Radford returns to Big South play on Friday, hosting Coastal Carolina in a three-game series. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Win: Blaine Lafin (1-3) (1.0 IP, 2 H, 2R/2ER, 3 BB, 0 K)
Loss: Mack Krupp (1-1) (0.0 IP, 1 H, 3R, 2 BB, 0 K)
Save: Taylor Edens (6) (3.0 IP, 3 H, 1R/1ER, 0 BB, 3 K)
Radford used the contest to get their bullpen some work, using six pitchers out of the pen.
Tyler Swarmer started the game, allowing no hits, while striking out two in three innings.
Adam Whitacre finished with a 3 for 4 day at the dish with two runs scored and a RBI.
The three hits are a season-high for the freshman.
Nygeal Andrews and Colby Higgerson finished with multi-hit performances.
Higgerson drove in a season-high two runs.
Radford left 11 runners on base, VMI stranded eight runners.
David Geary led VMI with a 3 for 5 showing and three RBIs.