RADFORD, Va. — In one of the more memorable games at Carter Memorial Stadium in recent years, the Radford baseball struck for 16 runs on 11 hits as they took down ACC rival Virginia Tech by a 16-11 final on Tuesday evening in front of a packed stadium.
The win snapped the Highlanders' losing streak, and marked the first victory by Radford over a Power Five opponent since 2019.
Radford (8-30) was highlighted by catcher
Garrett Pancione, who went 3-for-4 with three RBI and four runs. In the third inning, Pancione mashed a three-run, go-ahead homer that put Radford ahead 8-6. It was part of a seven-run inning for the home team.
The Highlanders' offense struck early and often. After falling in a 2-0 hole in the first inning, Radford responded with an RBI single from DH
Austin Stalker, followed by a run-scoring base hit from first baseman
Tanner Barrs to even the game at 2-all.
Then, facing a 6-2 deficit in the second, the Highlanders got two more runs thanks to a fielding error by Virginia Tech's first baseman and a run-producing groundout from shortstop
Avery Spencer. Spencer was also a key cog in the win, going 3-for-6 with four RBI and a highlight-reel grab on a line drive in the sixth inning.
The third inning was when the Red and White took control. In the bottom half of the frame, third baseman
Miles LeVere laid down a well-placed bunt that plated a hustling Stalker from third. That set the stage for Pancione's three-run blast. From there, right fielder
Zack Whitacre would add a two-RBI single, giving Radford an 11-6 advantage.
Spencer would later add an infield single in the fourth inning that plated two, while left fielder
Julian Rojas drew a bases-loaded walk to increase the lead to 14-6.
From that point, the Highlanders bullpen shut things down.
Gannon Kadlecik tossed two scoreless innings with four strikeouts, earning his first victory of the season.
Landon Higgerson was also untouched in two innings, holding the Hokies without a base hit.
Virginia Tech (21-13) was led by Christian Martin, who went 4-for-6 with an RBI. The Hokies were done in by four errors, leading to eight unearned runs. However, Radford certainly made it difficult on the visitors, drawing a season-high 11 walks.
Second baseman
Sully Tibbs also contributed in the victory, going 2-for-3 with four runs.
KEY STATS
- Center fielder Cameron Pittman drew five walks, setting a program single-game record.
- The 14 hits by Radford tied a season-high, and the 16 runs were the most since Apr. 20, 2021 against Longwood.
- Higgerson's relief outing marked his nation-leading 25th appearance of the year.
- Radford had five players with multi-hit games.
UP NEXT
The Highlanders will look to build off the win as they have two days off before gearing up for a road conference series at USC Upstate. First pitch on Friday is set for 5 p.m. in Spartanburg, S.C.
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.
