MARION, N.C. — The Radford baseball team hit a grand slam for the second game in a row — courtesy of
Zack Mallia — but it was not enough as the Highlanders fell to UNC Asheville 14-9 in the series finale at the Big League Camp on Sunday afternoon.
Radford (9-43, 1-23 Big South) got off to a torrid start, taking a 9-0 lead in the first four innings. The scoring was started in the third inning by third baseman
Bannon Brazell, who drew a bases-loaded hit by pitch to drive in the first run. With the bags still full of Highlanders, Mallia promptly laced a fly ball down the right field line for a grand slam and a 5-0 lead, following up on
Tanner Barrs' slam from Saturday's contest.
With the swing, Mallia also set a new career-high with four RBI.
The Highlanders added four more runs in the fourth inning, as left fielder
Julian Rojas made it a 6-0 lead with a sacrifice fly. Barrs then followed up with a three-run homer, giving the senior six hits and eight RBI over his last two games.
UNC Asheville (24-24, 10-14) took control with a 10-run sixth inning. The Bulldogs would go on to add three insurance runs in the eighth. Asheville's Ty Kaufman led the scoring output with a 3-for-4 day and three RBI.
Justin Needles was the winning pitcher for UNC Asheville, delivering five scoreless innings.
Luke VonGoedert took the loss for Radford.
UP NEXT
Radford will have three days off before gearing up for the final series of the regular season as they host Presbyterian for a three-game set starting Thursday. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. on ESPN+.
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