Strong Pitching, Timely Hits Lead Radford to Opening Day Win

Friday, February 19

Radford, Va.

2 p.m.

Radford University

1-0

Ohio

0-1

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Ohio	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	2	0	3	9	1
Radford	0	3	0	0	0	3	0	1	X	7	9	2

Photo by: Taylor Blue

Strong Pitching, Timely Hits Lead Radford to Opening Day Win

2/19/2021 6:30:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

RADFORD, Va. – Greg Duncan allowed just one unearned run in his first Division I start and Radford put together a pair of three-run innings Friday afternoon, as the Highlanders christened their new turf field at Sherman Carter Memorial Stadium with a 7-3 win over the visiting Ohio Bobcats on Opening Day.

Duncan struck out five in 5 1/3 innings of work, while Garrett Matheny and Dac Archer had two hits apiece to lead Radford. Matheny had a game-high three RBI's, while Sean Cheely knocked in a pair for the Highlanders.

Radford struck first in the second inning, scoring on a wild pitch with the bases loaded. Matheny quickly extended the lead with a two-run single to left to make it a 3-0 game.

The Highlanders had trouble scoring off Ohio lefty starter Joe Rock, who struck out 12 in his five innings of work, but quickly went to work when the Bobcats turned to the bullpen. Ohio got a run back in the sixth, but Radford quickly responded.

Making his first career start, freshman Jalen Buster delivered in the sixth with an RBI triple to the gap in right center. Buster then scored on an RBI groundout off the bat of Cheely before Matheny drove in David Bryant with an RBI double to left center.

The visitors added a pair of runs in the eighth on a two-run single, but Radford pushed its lead back up in the bottom half of the inning on a squeeze play executed by Cheely.

Alex Perkins threw a 1-2-3 ninth inning with a pair of strikeouts to close out the win.

STAT OF THE GAME
Radford is undefeated when opening the season at home (3-0). Friday's win was the 25th time the Highlanders won their home opener.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Duncan, Perkins, Archer, Buster and Connor Bagnieski all made their Radford debuts in Friday's game. Bryant's hit streak and on-base streak both extended to nine games after he had a pair of walks and a single. Seven different players had at least one hit for Radford.

TWEETS OF THE GAME

#OpeningDay vibes ??#RiseAndDefend x @RadfordBaseball pic.twitter.com/x9YPaNrdkh
— Radford Athletics (@ru_athletics) February 19, 2021

It's an #OpeningDay WIN for #Team1086!#RiseAndDefend x #Team1086 pic.twitter.com/Z0hfHSv1t0
— Radford Baseball (@RadfordBaseball) February 19, 2021

UP NEXT
The Highlanders and Bobcats continue their three-game series Saturday at 2 p.m., with Vinnie Venturi expected to draw his first career start in a Radford uniform.

FOLLOW HIGHLANDER BASEBALL ON SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on the Radford baseball team visit RadfordAthletics.com, follow @RadfordBaseball on Twitter, 'radfordbaseball' Instagram or Radford Baseball on Facebook.