RADFORD HOSTS APP STATE IN FINAL TUESDAY HOME CONTEST

Follow @RadfordBaseball

RADFORD, Va. – Radford will look to continue its momentum after collecting a weekend sweep as the Highlanders welcome Appalachian State for the final Tuesday home game of the 2017 season. The first matchup on March 21 saw the Mountaineers take a 13-9 comeback victory.

SETTING THE STAGE
• Series: App. State leads (10-6)
• Location: Radford Baseball Stadium (Radford, Va.)
• Listen Live
• Listen Stats

ON THE HILL
Tuesday, April 18 – 6:00 p.m.
LHP Bobby Hampton (2-2, 5.40) vs. LHP Andrew Nardi (0-2, 5.79)

HIGHLANDER HIGHLIGHTS

Current record: (16-19) | Home: (8-6) | Away: (7-12) | Neutral (1-1)
Big South (6-6)
Streak: W3
Radford's sweep of Campbell moved the Highlanders from ninth in the Big South standings to fifth place.
Radford totaled 17 runs on 24 hits over the weekend.
Radford's bullpen shined in the three-game series, allowing only two runs in 11.1 innings, surrendering six hits and striking out 11 batters.
Freshmen Evan Threehouse and Austin Gerber were a major part of the Radford bullpen's success over the weekend. Threehouse allowed only three hits, while striking out four batters in three innings of relief in Saturday's 8-5 win to collect his first collegiate win. Gerber allowed only one run on one hit in 4.1 innings on Sunday to collect his third win on the season.
Closer Kyle Zurak was a perfect 2 for 2 in save opportunities in the first two Campbell games. Zurak struck out five batters in three innings, surrendering a lone hit.
Radford's team ERA has been lowered to 5.15.
Offensively, Jonathan Gonzalez continues to provide the Highlanders with power in the middle of the order. Gonzalez has six RBIs in his last games, including two home runs over the last four games. The senior leads the team with seven home runs and 26 RBIs.
The seven home runs rank tie for fifth in the league and the 26 RBIs in 11^th best.
Anthony Miano strung together a strong showing at Campbell. The junior finished the series going 4 for 8 with three walks, three runs sand two RBIs.
Matt Roth has approached the plate the same way all the season which has paid off. Roth currently holds a 19-game on-base streak and a five-game hit streak. Playing his first 45 college games without a stolen base, Roth swiped three bags this past weekend.
In addition to Roth's hit streak, Danny Hrbek holds a five-game hit streak of his own. Hrbek is making contributions in all aspects of the game, posting seven hits and six runs over the hit streak. Not to mention tossing four innings with three punch outs in Friday's matchup with Campbell.
As a team, Radford is one of the best in playing small ball, ranking 26^th in the nation with 29 sacrifice bunts.
the Highlanders know how to play some small ball, ranking 26^th in the nation with 29 sac bunts on the season. In the series against Campbell, Radford put down three sac bunts over the weekend.
Leading the way in sac bunts is Luke Wise ranks seventh in the nation with nine sac bunts.
Entering the weekend series with 13 error in its last four games, Radford only committed two miscues in the three-game series.
Kyle Butler remains fourth in the conference in batting average with a .353 clip. Butler has collected eight hits over his last seven games, including two doubles. That gives him nine two-baggers on the season and the team lead. He is also tied with Roth for a team best 42 hits.
Only five different Highlanders have registered 30-plus hits on the season.

SCOUTING APPALACHIAN STATE

Current record: (13-23) | Home: (2-7) | Away: (8-13) | Neural (3-3)
Sun Belt (4-11)
Streak: L1
Since defeating the Highlanders on March 21, Appalachian State is 3-12.
Senior Matt Vernon leads the Mountaineers with hits (46) and in batting average (.309), the only player with 40-plus hits and .300-plus average on the team.
Vernon leads the team with 10 doubles, totaling 15 extra-base hits.
Tyler Stroup adds power to the Mountaineer lineup, having hit a team-high seven bombs, driving 23 runs and posting a .512 slugging percentage.
Six different Mountaineers have posted 10-plus RBIs on the season.
As a team, Appalachian State is hitting a low .227 as opponents have out-hit the Mountianeers 350-270 on the season.
As a team, Appalachian State has been pretty effiecent at swiping bags, combining for 24 of 34 this season. Jason Curtis leads the team with six in seven attempts.
Combining for a 4.49 team ERA, Appalachian State sports several strong options out of its bullpen.
Closer Reed Howell possesses a 1.88 ERA with five saves, allowing only six earned runs in 28.2 innings.
In only 9.2 innings, Tristan Helms holds a 0.93 ERA with nine strikeouts in 9.2 innings.
Matt Brill has provided the Mountaineers with a power arm as the righty has 27 strikeouts in 20.1 innings.

ON DECK

Following Tuesday's matchup, Radford heads to Charleston, S.C. for a crucial road matchup with Charleston Southern
The Highlanders lead the overall series 38-32.
Game times: Friday 6 p.m., Saturday 4 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m.

Print Friendly Version