Shelby, N.C. – Catcher Straton Podaras recorded an opposite field RBI single in the top of the eighth inning as the Radford baseball team picked up a 7-6 victory against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs, in a key Big South Conference contest on Sunday afternoon at Keeter Stadium. Radford improved to 23-21 overall and 14-7 in the league.

Highlander starter Brandon Donovan got a no-decision as he allowed two earned runs over 4.1 innings in just his third start of the year. Cameron Fritz (5-1) picked up the win despite allowing three earned runs in 3.1 innings of work.

Gardner-Webb (19-21, 9-12 Big South) scored two runs in the opening inning against Donovan to get on the board first. The righty hit shortstop Ben LaSpaluto with a 3-2 count to open the game and he then scampered to third after a throwing error by Donovan on a pick-off attempt. Catcher Justin Kunz then lined a sharp RBI single to center. Kunz advanced to second on a fielder's choice and came around to score on a two-out single by third baseman Eric Jones.

The Highlanders had a golden opportunity to get on the board in the top of the fourth. First baseman Spencer Horwitz ripped a lead-off double to right-center. Right fielder Andrew Szamski popped to second for the first out but designated hitter J.D. Mundy singled through the left-side to put runners on the corners. However, Mundy was picked off and Bryant fanned to end the threat.

Radford broke through with five runs in the top of the fifth to chase starter Noah Davis. Shortstop Colby Higgerson (3 walks, 2 runs) drew a lead-off walk and advanced to third on a hard-hit single by third baseman Matt Roth (2-for-4). Higgerson then raced home on a wild pitch with Podaras at the plate. The pitch also resulted in ball four and Davis was replaced by Aaron Stewart. The lefty walked left-fielder Garrett Matheny to load the bases for center fielder Kyle Butler, who ripped an RBI single to right to plate Roth. Podaras also scored on the play as right fielder Mitch McClendon unleashed a throwing error over the head of Kunz. Horwitz and Szamski were then retired before Mundy was intentionally walked. A wild pitch with the bases loaded scored Matheny with second baseman David Bryant at the plate. Bryant then added a bunt single to score Butler for the final run of the frame.

The hosts got a run back with an unearned run off reliever Bruce Hudson in the bottom of the sixth inning. Bryant committed an error on a chopper by left fielder Corey Howard. Howard came around to score on a two-out double by designated hitter JP McGuire. Fritz replaced Hudson with runner on first and second and got McClendon to hit a ground ball out to prevent further damage.

Gardner-Webb tied the game off Fritz with two outs in the bottom of the seventh as second baseman Chandler Redmond unloaded a long two-run homer to right, his conference-leading 15^th of the season. 

Radford came right back in the bottom of the eighth as Higgerson drew a one-out walk to start a rally. Roth followed with a rocket-single under the glove of LaSpaluto to set up Podaras, who singled through the right-side for the game-winning hit. 

Left fielder Adam Whitacre added a big insurance run with a two-out RBI double in the top of the ninth after Szamski reached on an error.

The hosts scored a run in the bottom of the ninth on a double and a wild pitch but it wasn't enough.

The Highlanders will be back in action on Friday evening as they travel to nationally ranked North Carolina State.