RADFORD HOSTS UNC ASHEVILLE IN SEASON FINALE; BIG SOUTH TOURNAMENT ON THE LINE

RADFORD, Va. – After 51 games played, Radford will play the three most important games of its season to conclude the regular season. The Highlanders will play host to UNC Asheville for a Big South three-game series, starting on Thursday. The three-game series holds major Big South Tournament implications as the Highlanders need two wins to clinch the eighth seed in next week's tournament. Friday's regular season finale will serve as Senior Day as head coach Joe Raccuia and the Highlanders honor nine seniors as they play their final game inside the friendly confines of RU Baseball Stadium.

SETTING THE STAGE
- Series: UNC Asheville leads 40-34
- Location: RU Baseball Stadium (Radford, Va.)
- Video
- Audio
- Live Stats
- Game Notes (Radford | UNC Asheville)

ON THE BUMP
Thursday, May 19 – 2 p.m.
LHP Zack Ridgely (3-6, 3.40) vs. LHP Jordan Fulbright (4-5, 6.18)
Thursday, May 19 – 4:30 p.m.
LHP Mitchell MacKeith (3-6, 5.43) vs. LHP Jordan Carr (1-8, 6.12)
Friday, May 20 – 2 p.m.
LHP Tyler Swarmer (3-5, 5.49) vs. TBA

LAST MEETING (May 16, 2015)

Radford opened its final regular season contest with 13 straight runs, including six in the opening frame.
Hunter Higgerson finished with a pair of three-run blasts, coming in the first and ninth innings.
The six RBIs were a career high for Higgerson.
The Bulldogs stormed back scoring 10 unanswered runs to pull within 13-10 after seven complete innings.
UNC Asheville's rally was led by Pete Guy's two hits and three RBIs.
Mitchell MacKeith cruised through four innings in a scheduled short start to earn the victory. MacKeith allowed three hits and did not allow a run prior to turning the game over to the bullpen with a 13-run lead.
Shane Johnsonbaugh and Brad Keen led the Highlanders with a pair of three-hit performances.
Johnsonbaugh drove in three runs, including in two on a home run in the third inning.
UNC Asheville received a 4 for 6 effort from Joe Tietjen with two RBIs and two runs scored.
Austin Ross picked up his first save as a Highlander, tossing two shutout innings, allowing only one hit.

HIGHLANDER HIGHLIGHTS

Record: 14-37, 6-15
Radford is currently on a seven-game skid after picking up their second Big South series win April 29-30 versus Gardner-Webb. All seven games have been away from home.
Last week's four games saw Chandler Davis break out of an 0 for 24 slump with his best stretch of games in a Highlander uniform. Davis went 6 for 11 at the dish, doubling his season total of RBIs over the four-game stretch. The redshirt freshman drove in five runs, including a career-high three RBIs in a 11-5 loss to Liberty on May 13.
Jonathan Gonzalez joined Davis with a strong week at the dish; going 7 for 15 with five runs scored, two RBIs and three doubles. On May 13, Gonzalez collected a season-high three hits. He followed the three-hit day with two doubles on May 14.
In a 14-8 shootout with Liberty on May 15, Radford collected four two-baggers, marking the third time on the season the Highlanders have finished with four doubles.
Since being inserted into the lineup on April 5, Nygeal Andrews has made the most of his second chance on the offensive side of the baseball. Andrews is 17 for 46 in 17 appearances with 13 starts. The senior has scored five runs and collected three RBIs.
In 11 Big South games, Andrews is 11 for 31 with three runs scored.
Providing the Highlanders with an offensive presence in league games has been Danny Hrbek and Colby Higgerson. Hrbek leads the Highlanders with 26 hits, 17 RBIs and six doubles in Big South play. Higgerson follows with 25 hits and 11 RBIs.
The duo has combined for 28 of Radford's 67 Big South RBIs.
Friday's contest will serve as Senior Day as the Highlanders: Chris Coia, Mitchell MacKeith, Tyler Swarmer, Dylan Nelson, Travis McQueen, Daniel Bridgeman, Jordan Taylor, Shane Johnsonbaugh and Nygeal Andrews will be honored in a pregame ceremony.

SCOUTING UNC ASHEVILLE

Record: 16-35, 5-16

UNC Asheville enters the contest looking for its first Big South road win since April 16 in a 9-8 extra inning affair over Charleston Southern.
The Bulldogs are led by Joe Tietjen's .345 batting average, which ranks 14^th in the Big South. Tietjen is 10^th in the league and 93^rd nationally with 71 hits.
The junior has been the Bulldogs reason for scoring runs, ranking second in the Big South and 48^th nationally with 53 RBIs.
UNC Asheville sports five players with 20-plus RBIs.
Pete Guy provides the power in the Bulldog lineup, connecting for 11 home runs and 30 RBIs. The 11 blasts rank fourth in the Big South.
UNC Asheville has collected 83 doubles, ranking fifth in the Big South. Five Bulldogs have collected double-digit doubles. Tietjen leads the way with 15 two-baggers.
Nick Boyles has been one of the best relievers in the Big South, compiling a 2-0 record with a 1.29 ERA in 16 games. In 28 innings pitched, Boyles has only allowed four earned runs.
In 21 Big South games, UNC Asheville has allowed 142 earned runs in 183 innings. Bulldog pitchers have only punched out 102 batters in the 21 games.
Teams have been able to run at will on the Bulldogs as opponents have tallied 93 stolen bases in 109 attempts, including a 43 for 52 clip in Big South games.

UP NEXT

Radford needs two wins to clinch the eighth seed in next week's Big South Tournament.
The tournament is being hosted by the Lexington County Recreation and Aging Commission in Lexington, S.C. The games will be played at the Lexington Baseball Stadium, home of the Lexington County Blowfish. The Blowfish are a member of the Coastal Plain League.
For more on the tournament, click here.

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