RADFORD, Va. — Spearheaded by a stellar outing by starter John Holobetz, the Radford baseball team took the series opener against Longwood 5-2 on Friday evening at Carter Memorial Stadium.

Holobetz had perhaps his best performance of the season, allowing two runs over six innings while striking out four, earning his third win of the year. He was relieved by LHP Derek Domecq, who earned a nine-out save, fanning six Lancers in the process.

Radford (14-30, 7-12 Big South) got on the board in the third inning, as center fielder Cameron Pittman came around to score on a throwing error by Longwood shortstop Gregory Ryan.

In the fourth inning, it was catcher Julian Rojas who supplied the power. The junior launched a solo blast to left field for his third home run of the season, putting Radford ahead 2-0.

Longwood (19-29, 9-10 Big South) did come back with a pair of solo home runs in the sixth inning, courtesy of Eliot Dix and Hunter Gilliam. However, Holobetz was able to settle down, inducing two ground outs to end the inning and preserve his team's 3-2 lead.

In the home half of the sixth, right fielder Brendan Bagwell checked in with an RBI single to put the Highlanders ahead 4-2.

Radford was also aided by a highlight-reel double play. In the eighth, with a runner at second and nobody out, Domecq snagged a liner off the bat of Dax, and then threw back to second to double off Hayden Harris.

NOTABLE STATS

• Rojas had a multi-hit game, going 2-for-3 with two RBI.
• As a team, the Highlanders only struck out twice, and recorded 10 strikeouts for their pitching staff.
• Radford outhit Longwood 8-6.

UP NEXT
The two teams will meet on Saturday morning for game two. First pitch has been moved up to 11:30 a.m.

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