Radford Rallies to Top Villanova in Series Opener

Saturday, February 27

Radford, Va.

Noon

Radford University

3-2

Villanova

0-1

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Villanova	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	6	2
Radford	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	3	X	5	10	1

Photo by: Radford Athletics Communications

Radford Rallies to Top Villanova in Series Opener

2/27/2021 4:46:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

RADFORD, Va. – Radford scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning Saturday as the Highlanders came from behind to defeat Villanova, 5-3, at Williams Field at Sherman Carter Memorial Stadium.

The Highlanders (3-2) scored the last four runs of the game and threw seven consecutive scoreless innings to end the game after three early Villanova runs.

Radford got a run back in the first inning when Connor Bagnieski hit a double into the gap in left center to score Sean Cheely, but Villanova starter Gordon Graceffo kept the Highlanders at bay for most of the game.

After allowing three runs in the first two innings, Greg Duncan allowed just one baserunner in his final four innings, striking out four in those four innings. Duncan finished the game with eight strikeouts.

Radford cut into Villanova's lead in the bottom of the sixth when David Bryant singled up the middle to score Anthony Galati from second, but that was the final run Graceffo allowed in his seven innings of work on the mound for the visiting Wildcats.

The Highlander offense rallied for three runs in the eighth once Villanova turned to its bullpen. Radford batted around the order in the inning, leading off with a Dac Archer single. After a wild pitch and a fielding error that allowed Straton Podaras to reach base, Bagnieski drove in his second run of the game on a sacrifice fly to score Archer and tie the score at 3-3.

Will Harless broke out of a slump in a big way with a go-ahead RBI double to the wall in left center, scoring Podaras and giving the Highlanders the lead for the first time in the game. Radford added one more in the inning when Galati singled to score Harless from third, after a balk advanced him one base.

Bruce Hudson threw three hitless innings with three strikeouts to earn the win in relief. Danny Wilkinson was charged with the loss for Villanova after allowing all three runs in the eighth.

STAT OF THE GAME
Saturday's game was the first time the Highlanders won when trailing after seven since a 7-4 win over UNC Asheville on May 10, 2019.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Cheely started in center field for the first time in his Radford career and notched his second straight two-hit game. Bagnieski has four RBI's in his last three games. Galati has five hits in his last four games and recorded his first multi-hit game of the season. Hudson allowed just one walk in his three innings of relief. Radford allowed just three baserunners over the course of the final seven innings.

UP NEXT
Radford and Villanova close their two-game series Sunday at noon, with Vinnie Venturi scheduled to take the mound for the Highlanders.

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.