Baseball 5/26/2016 9:00:00 AM

HIGHLANDERS LOOK TO CONTINUE MOMENTUM IN ELIMINATION BATTLE VERSUS GARDNER-WEBB

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LEXINGTON, S.C. – The name of the game is survive and advance, which is exactly what Radford did on Wednesday as the Highlanders scored 12 runs in the final two frames, taking a 16-8 comeback win over Presbyterian in the second elimination game of the Big South Tournament. The Highlanders find themselves in another elimination battle, taking on Gardner-Webb in game 10 with first pitch set for approximately 7 p.m.

SETTING THE STAGE
- Series: Radford leads 13-9
- Location: Lexington County Stadium (Lexington, S.C.)
- Video
- Audio
- Live Stats

ON THE BUMP
Thursday, May 26 – Approximately 7 p.m.
LHP Tyler Swarmer (4-5, 5.23) vs. LHP Ryan Boelter (4-0, 3.07 ERA)

LAST MEETING (April 30, 2016)

Radford picked up its second Big South series win of the season, splitting the doubleheader as the Highlanders battled back for a 6-4 rubber match win on two home runs off the bat of Trevor Riggs.
Riggs finished the double-dip 4 for 8 with two doubles, three RBIs and three runs scored.
The curtain raiser saw the two foes tied at two after six innings. The Runnin' Bulldogs took a 4-2 lead on two hits and two RU errors in the top of the seventh.
Radford battled back in the bottom of the seventh as Colby Higgerson and Luke Wise contributed a pair of one-out singles. Chris Coia gave the Highlanders new life with a two-run double to left-center to tie the game at four.
Gardner-Webb scored six runs on six hits and two errors to take a 10-4 victory in the opener.
The Highlanders struck first in the nightcap as Riggs banged a home run off the left field foul pole to lead off the bottom of the second.
A Patrick Graham RBI single in the third and Justin Kunz RBI double in the fifth gave the Runnin' Bulldogs a 2-1 lead.
After losing its lead, the Radford offense exploded for five runs on five hits in the bottom of the fifth. The inning started with three consecutive singles from Higgerson, Wise and Coia. Coia's bunt single forced an errant throw by the third baseman, allowing Higgerson to score from third to tie the game.
Coia moved up to second base on a wild pitch, setting up a prime RBI opportunity for Hrbek. The junior third baseman did not disappoint, lining a single up the middle, emptying the bases.
Following the two-run single from Hrbek, Riggs launched his second home run of the contest as the wind carried the ball over the left field fence. Riggs' fourth home run in his last six games gave the Highlanders a 6-2 lead.
The Runnin' Bulldogs attempted a comeback as Tyler Best lined a pinch hit RBI triple down the left field line in the sixth and Graham grounded into a double play in the seventh, plating a run.
Daniel Bridgeman tossed 2.1 perfect frames for his third save of the season as Radford held on for the series clinching 6-4 win.
Colby Higgerson finished the double-dip with a 4 for 7 performance, including two runs scored.
Game one of the doubleheader saw both teams combine for eight doubles. Riggs led the showing with two two-baggers.

HIGHLANDER HIGHLIGHTS

Record: 18-38
Down to its last six outs and trailing 6-4, Radford put together a monstrous eighth inning, scoring 10 runs on six hits. Nygeal Andrews collected three of his career-high five RBIs on a bases clearing double in the frame as the Highlanders took a 16-8 comeback victory over Presbyterian in the Big South's second elimination game on the day, Wednesday afternoon.
The Highlanders regained the lead on a bases clearing double off the bat of Andrews, controlling a 7-6 lead. The inning saw three-run triple from Danny Hrbek as Radford loaded the bases twice in the eighth inning.
Andrews five RBIs are the second most by a Highlander this season.
Danny Hrbek, Chris Coia and Luke Wise joined Andrews with two-hit performances.
In his last three games, Andrews is 6 for 13 with seven RBIs and two runs scored.
The three-RBI performance is the third on the season for Hrbek and the first for Coia.
In 12 Big South Tournament games, Coia is 9 for 35 with eight runs scored and five RBIs.
Radford's 16 runs are the most by a tournament team since Winthrop scored 20 in 2009. The 24 runs are the most runs scored in a tournament game since Campbell and Coastal Carolina combined for 26 runs in 2014.
The last time Radford scored 10 runs in an inning came on April 5, 2015 in a 15-7 win over Virginia Tech. The 16 runs are the most this season and the most since May 1, 2015 in a 22-1 win versus James Madison.

SCOUTING Gardner-Webb

Record: 37-20
The Runnin' Bulldogs entered the ninth inning trailing top seeded Coastal Carolina 4-2. Attempting a late inning rally, Tyler Best pulled Gardner-Webb within one run on an infield single. With runners on first and second, Justin Kunz worked the count full, but was unable to tie game.
Best led the Runnin' Bulldogs with a 3 for 5 showing at the plate.
Danny Sullivan and Matt Simmons collected two hits each in the loss, connecting on a pair of solo home runs.
The solo shot was Sullivan's ninth of the season, giving him 35 RBIs.
Taking the hard luck loss for the Runnin' Bulldogs was Jeremy Walker, allowing four runs on eight hits. The righty struckout seven over eight innings.
Big South first team honoree Collin Thacker continues to lead the Runnin' Bulldogs with a .395 average and 85 hits.
Thacker's 28 doubles lead the nation and Gardner-Webb leads the Big South with 121 two-baggers.Five players sport double-digit doubles.
Gardner-Webb has not won two games in the Big South Tournament since 2012. That season the Runnin' Bulldogs defeated Charleston Southern 4-3 and Radford 11-0 in the loser's bracket.

UP NEXT

The winner will go on to face No. 7 Liberty on Friday in game 12 of the tournament. First pitch is scheduled for an estimated start time of 2 p.m.
To follow coverage of the Big South Baseball Championships, click here.

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