RADFORD, Va. — Luke VonGoedert struck out eight batters over six impressive innings, while the Radford offense struck for 11 hits as the Highlanders took down Hartford 7-5 on Sunday afternoon at Carter Memorial Stadium. With the win, Radford completed the series sweep of Hartford.
In just his third career start, VonGoedert was overpowering of the Hawks' hitters, tallying a career-high in strikeouts and earning his first collegiate win. All three of VonGoedert's runs were unearned, and the senior lefthander allowed only one walk and four hits.
His offense certainly picked him up. In the first inning, Radford (5-7) struck first as catcher
Julian Rojas doubled down the left field line to score shortshop
Tristan Shoemaker.
Though the Hawks responded with three runs in the second inning, the home team never wavered. In the third, catcher
Garrett Pancione drew a bases-loaded walk to cut the deficit in half. Pancione would later add an RBI single in the sixth and a sacrifice fly in the eighth to give the Highlanders much-needed insurance. For the day, Pancione collected three RBI, a hit, and a walk.
In the fifth inning, right fielder
Paul Moore tied the game at 3-all with a sac fly of his own. That set the stage for third baseman
Miles LeVere, who poked a single up the middle to plate
Tanner Barrs to give Radford a 4-3 lead.
Hartford (0-3) did not go down without a fight. The Hawks surged in the ninth inning, scoring two runs to cut the Radford lead to 7-5. But with a runner at third and one out, Radford closer
Zack Mallia was able to shut the door, getting a pair of strikeouts to seal the victory. It was Mallia's first save of the season.
Collin Williams also aided in the pitching effort. The freshman pitched two scoreless innings, bridging the gap from VonGoedert to Mallia, while striking out three hitters.
KEY STATS
- Center fielder Zack Whitacre went 1-for-2 with three walks. Whitacre has been on base seven times in his last two games.
- With 11 hits today, Radford has posted double-digit hits in three of their last four contests.
- Four different Highlanders — Rojas, Barrs, LeVere, and Sully Tibbs — recorded multiple hits.
UP NEXT
Radford will be off on Monday before traveling to Marshall for a nonconference matinee on Tuesday. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. in Huntington, W.V.
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