RADFORD ROLLS TO 8-0 VICTORY IN SERIES OPENER

Friday, April 8

RADFORD

6:30PM

Radford University

22-15, 0

Gardner-Webb

17-19, 0

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Gardner-Webb	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	3
Radford	2	0	0	0	5	1	8	7	0

Photo by: RUHighlanderPhotos.com

4/8/2016 8:43:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

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RADFORD, Va. – Abby Morrow pitched a two-hitter and the Radford offense scored six runs in their final two turns at-bat as the Highlanders pulled away for an 8-0 six-inning victory over Gardner-Webb Friday night in the opener of the Big South Conference series.

Becky Mantel had a two-run homer, a double and three runs as Radford improved to 22-15 overall and 5-5 in the conference. Marissa Yow added two hits, including a double, while Hannah Medlam chipped in two RBIs and Jessica Curbiera drove in one.

Morrow retired the last 16 Gardner-Webb batters en route to her fourth shutout of the season. It marked the third time she has allowed two or fewer hits in a game during the campaign. The hurler struck out five, while all of the other 13 outs came on the infield, including 12 on grounders.

The lone two Runnin' Bulldog hits came in the first inning on an infield single and one down the right field line. However, with runners on the second and third, Morrow got called third strike for her third strikeout of the inning.

Mantel then provided the only runs her teammate needed when she hammered a two-run shot over the centerfield fence in the bottom of the first, following a walk to Kayla Bishton. It was Mantel's seventh of the season and tied her with Ashley Taylor for sixth all-time in program history.

The Highlanders then broke it open with a five-run fifth, capitalizing on three Gardner-Webb errors. After an error, a wild pitch and a sacrifice put runners on second and third, Marissa Gagliano scored on the second error. Yow was then hit by a pitch to load the bases before Medlam sliced a two-run single to left to make it 5-0. Curbiera followed with an RBI single up the middle and Medlam came home on the final error.

Radford then ended it an inning early when Mantel doubled to left-center and Yow found the gap in right-center for her 11th double of the year.

The doubleheader to close out the series has been moved back a day to Sunday. First pitch is still set for 1 p.m.

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