Radford RAD 6-4

Saint Francis SFU 4-7

Radford RAD

6-4

Final

Feb. 25, 2023

Saint Francis SFU

4-7

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	R	H	E
Radford RAD	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	3	7	1
Saint Francis SFU	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	1

W: Palya, Ellen (2-0) L: MARSDEN (1-5)

Summary
Box Score

Rob Simmons

Game Recap: Softball | 2/25/2023 9:45:00 PM

Palya Tosses Eight-Inning Shutout in Extra Innings Victory

GREENVILLE, N.C. – The Radford softball program picked up their second win of the weekend Saturday night 3-0 in eight innings over Saint Francis (PA). Ellen Palya dazzled in the meeting, holding the reigning NEC champions scoreless over all eight frames.

The Highlanders had a scoring chance early as the quick-start offense once again put a pair of runners on with none out. After Laura Thompson and Foster Sharpe eached moved up a base from an outfield fly out, the Red Flash were able to get two straight outs to end the early threat.

Palya took over and retired three straight batters in the bottom half of the first. In the second inning, Saint Francis (PA) saw their first two batters reach but Palya immediately ended the threat with three straight strikeouts.

Still knotted up in a scoreless tie, Radford got another pair of hits in the third from Kari Shedrick and Sharpe. With two outs already in the inning, Radford wasn't able to score. After another three-up three-down inning by Palya in the bottom of the third, a 20 minute rain delay sent both teams to the dugouts.

Radford came out swinging from the rain delay as Lexie Roberts singled to right and advanced all the way to third on passed balls. Taylor Trent walked and Radford was in business. Saint Francis (PA) made a pitching change, however, and went to their ace to retire the next two batters and the scoring threat.

Palya refused to give any ground in the circle. The Red Flash were held scoreless and relatively harmless in the next four innings. Radford's bats also went cold, forcing extra innings with both squads looking for their first runs.

Rachel Smith was placed at second to start the top of the eighth and Radford didn't take long breaking the ice. Thompson singled through the left side and advanced to second on the throw to put runners on second and third with none out. Sharpe had the big hit of the night, singling in the pair of Smith and Thompson for the 2-0 lead. Abby Wilson also picked up another RBI with a fielder's choice to make it 3-0.

The Red Flash got their chance in the bottom of the eighth with a runner starting on second. Palya made it look easy to cap off her incredible night. After hitting the first batter of the inning, Palya induced three straight outs to her outfield and secured the 3-0 victory.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Palya's shutout was the second of the season for the Highlanders, with their first coming last weekend in the Bash in the Boro against Long Island where the team also won 3-0. Palya has just edged out Malorie Reeves for the most innings pitched through the early-goings of the season at 17.1 IP and has held opponents to just three earned runs over that stretch.

With another impressive day at the plate today, Sharpe has moved into the team lead in batting average at .423 in eight games this season. Sharpe has also knocked in a tied for third on the team RBIs with five. Thompson and Roberts are just behind Sharpe with .387 and .375 batting averages, respectively.

UP NEXT
Radford will be back in action tomorrow for a pair of games to conclude their weekend at East Carolina. Action begins at 10 a.m. against Saint Francis (PA). The team will also play a newly added game against East Carolina at 12:30 p.m. tomorrow due to today's rainouts.

Follow Softball on Social Media
For more information on the Radford softball team, follow @RadfordSoftball on Twitter and Instagram or Radford Softball on Facebook.

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Score By Innings
Play			RAD	SFU
	*TOP 8th*	SHARPE, F. singled through the left side, 2 RBI (3-2); THOMPSON, L. scored; SMITH, R. scored.	2	0
	*TOP 8th*	WILSON, A. reached on a fielder's choice (0-0); SMITH, E. out at second 2b to ss; SHARPE, F. scored.	3	0