RADFORD, Va. — Despite erasing a six-run deficit in the middle innings, the Radford baseball team dropped game one against UNC Asheville by a 9-7 decision on Friday evening at Carter Memorial Stadium.

Trailing 6-0 entering the bottom of the fourth, the Highlanders (12-25, 6-11 Big South) got their offense going with a double from DH James Taussig that scored two runs.

Later in the sixth, center fielder Cameron Pittman lofted a two-run single to left just above the head of the UNC Asheville shortshop, cutting the deficit to 6-4. After a walk, shortstop David Bryant tied the game with a single that plated Pittman and first baseman Ryan Gilmore.

But UNC Asheville (14-20, 8-5) had the answer, responding with two runs in the seventh inning, highlighted by an RBI double off the bat of Michael Groves.

The Bulldogs' early lead was aided by a three-run homer in the third inning by Dylan Bacot. Radford did tack on a run in the eighth thanks to an RBI single by right fielder Avery Spencer, but that was all the offense the home team could muster. Asheville closer Dominic Freeberger closed the door in the ninth, earning his third save of the season.

Cole Schiff (1-1) was the winning pitcher for UNC Asheville. Ty Burton (1-1) took the loss for Radford.

NOTABLE STATS

• Pittman had another solid showing, going 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBI.
• Spencer extended his hitting streak to nine games, and now has back-to-back multi-hit games.
• Radford made no errors for the third consecutive game, accomplishing that feat for the first time all season.

UP NEXT
Game two of the series will get underway on Saturday at 2 p.m. The game can be seen on ESPN+.

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