RADFORD OPENS HOMESTAND WITH EXTRA INNINGS VICTORY OVER YOUNGSTOWN STATE

BOX SCORE

GAME INFORMATION

Score: Radford 4, Youngstown State 3
Records: Penguins (1-11) | Highlanders (5-9)
Location: Carter Memorial Stadium | Radford, Va.

RADFORD, Va. – The ninth and 10^th innings saw five of the seven runs scored as Radford scored two runs in the 10^th en route to a 4-3 walk off victory over Youngstown State on Friday afternoon.

Falling behind 3-2 in the tenth due to a solo home run, the Highlanders got the tying and go-ahead runs aboard with one out, Colby Higgerson at second and Spencer Horwitz at first. Both players took off with a 1-2 count and swiped second and third, respectively. Austin Trace, the Penguin catcher sailed the throw and Higgerson scored, which tied the game at three.

A strikeout was the second out of the inning and a ground ball hit to the shortstop should have been the third out, but a fielding error loaded the bases for the home team. Luke Belanger hit ball to the shortstop, which tossed the ball underhand to the second baseman, but tossed it high and pulled him off the bag. All runners were safe and Horwitz scored the go-ahead run from third, which gave Radford the walk-off win.

The Highlanders had a 2-0 lead heading into the ninth inning, but a one-out home run down the right field line cut the lead in half. The next batter, Web Charles, singled to right field and scored on the next at-bat via a dropped fly ball in left field. That run tied the game at two, but there was still a bottom half to play.

Andrew Szamski doubled to right field to lead off the bottom half of the ninth. After a sacrifice bunt and back-to-back intentional walks loaded the bases, consecutive strikeouts sent the game into extras.

Radford struck first with an RBI single from Szamski that scored Horwitz with two outs in the first inning. Horwitz drove in the next run of the game in the third inning with a single to right field. Kyle Butler, who reached on a fielder's choice, scored all the way from second and gave Radford a 2-0 lead.

Ryan Sande earned the start on the mound and pitched seven innings of shutout baseball. He allowed five hits, walked two and struck out three on 95 pitches. Austin Ross (3-1) picked up the win. He pitched three innings, struck out three, but allowed three runs – two earned.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Win: Austin Ross (3-1) | (3.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER 0 BB, 3 K)
Loss: Zack Minney (0-1) | (0.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 K)
Spencer Horwitz and Andrew Szamski combined for six hits – three each – and two RBIs.
Each player had a double – the only extra base hits from the Highlanders – and drove in one run each.
Colby Higgerson, Carlin Christian and Luke Belanger had the other hits for Radford.
Horwitz scored two runs, which led all players, and Kyle Butler and Higgerson scored the others.
The Penguins committed four errors – two in the 10^th inning, but had two timely home runs that came from Blaze Glenn and Andrew Kendrick.
Radford drew four walks compared to the Penguins two.

ON DECK
The Highlanders look to win the series and go for the sweep all in one day with a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at noon.

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