BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. — Center fielder
Zack Whitacre hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth inning, but it was not enough as the Radford baseball team fell in walk-off fashion to Gardner-Webb 4-3 on Sunday afternoon at John Henry Moss Stadium.
The contest was an old-fashioned pitcher's duel, as Radford starter
Ty Burton went six strong innings, allowing just one earned run while striking out five Gardner-Webb hitters. The Highlanders (7-21, 0-6 Big South) got on the board in the fourth inning, when DH
Tanner Barrs scored on a bases-loaded wild pitch to tie the game at 1-all.
The Radford bats went quiet over the next few innings, but Whitacre changed that quickly. After a leadoff single in the eighth by second baseman
Miles LeVere, Whitacre sent a straightaway shot to center field, his third home run of the season and one that gave his team a 3-2 lead.
Ultimately, it was Gardner-Webb (18-9, 7-2) who had the last shot, as the Runnin' Bulldogs won the game on a two-run homer by Alec Burns.
On the pitching side, freshman
Ben Keefe made his highlander debut, recording four outs including a strikeout.
KEY STATS
- LeVere had a multi-hit game, going 2-for-4 with a run.
- This game saw Landon Higgerson's nation-leading 19th appearance of the season. Tied for second on that list is Burton, who got the start.
UP NEXT
Radford will try to regroup as they return to the Tar Heel state for a midweek matchup with Charlotte on Tuesday. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.
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