Three-Run First Leads Radford to Second Straight Win

Saturday, February 20

Radford, Va.

1 p.m.

Radford University

2-0

Ohio

0-2

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

Photo by: Radford Athletics Communications

Three-Run First Leads Radford to Second Straight Win

2/20/2021 5:35:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

RADFORD, Va. – Radford struck for three first-inning runs, Vinnie Venturi struck out seven in his team debut and the Highlanders edged past Ohio Saturday afternoon, 4-2, at Williams Field at Sherman Carter Memorial Stadium.

Venturi allowed a pair of runs in five innings of work for his first win with the Red and White, while Austin Kaplan and Alex Perkins combined to throw four shutout innings in relief. Dac Archer led the way offensively for the Highlanders with two hits, a walk, a run and an RBI.

The Highlanders did most of their damage in the first inning, as Will Harless drove in the opening run on an RBI groundout and Anthony Galati plated a pair with an RBI single to center. Radford had a chance to extend the lead in the second after Tanner Barrs and Archer both drew walks, but both runners were stranded.

Ohio had a chance to put runs on the board in the third but Venturi induced a 6-4-3 double play to end the threat. The Bobcats struck for a pair in the fifth on an RBI single and a wild pitch, but Galati made a catch at the wall in right field to end the inning and limit Ohio to two runs.

Archer hit an RBI single to score David Bryant in the seventh, while Kaplan allowed just two baserunners in three innings of one-hit baseball. Perkins struck out two in a scoreless ninth for his first save of the season.

Ohio starter Colin Sells was tagged with the loss after allowing three runs in five innings. Harry Witwer-Dukes and Joe Weisenseel had two hits apiece to lead the visiting Bobcats.

STAT OF THE GAME
Bryant extended his hit and on-base streak to a career-high 10 games with a single in the fourth inning.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Archer is 4-for-8 through his first two games in a Radford uniform. Barrs was 0-for-2 with a walk in his first start of the season. Perkins has four strikeouts in 2 hitless innings this season, pitching the ninth inning in both of Radford's wins in 2021.

TWEETS OF THE GAME

??6?? | ?? to the bullpen for the Highlanders, Austin Kaplan now in to pitch.

The final line on Venturi: 5.0 innings, 5 hits, 2 runs (both earned), 2 walks, 7 strikeouts#RiseAndDefend x #Team1086 pic.twitter.com/VUsz40miQf
— Radford Baseball (@RadfordBaseball) February 20, 2021

Perkins slams the door in the 9th and the Highlanders WIN for the second straight day!#RiseAndDefend x #Team1086 pic.twitter.com/KoYD6t5vJ3
— Radford Baseball (@RadfordBaseball) February 20, 2021

UP NEXT
Radford and Ohio close their three-game series Sunday at 1 p.m. Ryan Bywaters is expected to draw the start for the Highlanders, who will be looking to complete the series sweep.

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For more information on the Radford baseball team visit RadfordAthletics.com, follow @RadfordBaseball on Twitter, 'radfordbaseball' Instagram or Radford Baseball on Facebook.