RADFORD, Va. — Freshman
Dylan Howard was impressive in his collegiate debut, tossing six scoreless innings, but it was not enough as the Radford baseball team fell to Iona 3-1 in the season opener on Friday afternoon.
In the first game played under new head coach
Alex Guerra, the Highlanders (0-1) saw a fine outing from the newcomer Howard, who struck out eight batters while surrendering four hits and no earned runs in six frames. The Greenville, S.C. native fanned at least two Gaels hitters in three innings, walking only two.
Unfortunately, the Radford offense was unable to capitalize. The home team collected six hits, seven walks, and four hit batsmen, but were hampered by 16 runners left on base. Catcher
Julian Rojas went 2-for-5 in the loss, while
Miles LeVere — also making his Radford debut — reached base in four of his five plate appearances.
Iona (1-0) got impressive pitching performances from starter Teo Torrado, who tossed four scoreless frames and scattered three hits, as well as reliever Michael Lorenzetti, who pitched three shutout innings and earned the win. In the second inning, Torrado escaped a bases-loaded jam, getting second baseman
Avery Spencer to fly out.
The decisive blow for the Gaels came in the seventh inning, as first baseman Jake Field laced a double down the left field line that plated three runs. Radford had a response in the eight inning: with the bases loaded, Spencer sent a dribbler towards third base and narrowly beat out the throw, allowing
Peyton Henry to score.
However, Iona's Eric Gialloreto was able to set down the next three Highlanders in order, stranding the bases loaded. Radford went down quietly in the ninth inning as they dropped the season opener.
KEY STATS
- LeVere drew a walk and was hit by a pitch three times. He is the first Highlander to get plunked three times in a game since Bradlee Preap on Apr. 12 of last year.
- RHP Carter Seabrooke tossed two scoreless innings out of the bullpen. Of his six outs, five were strikeouts.
- Henry went 1-for-2 with three walks.
UP NEXT
Radford will get ready for game two of the series on Saturday at 4 p.m.
Follow Radford Baseball on Social Media
For more updates on Radford Baseball, follow @RadfordBaseball on Twitter, 'radfordbaseball' on Instagram, or like Radford Baseball on Facebook.
