RADFORD, Va. – The Radford baseball program returned right back to the win column with a big 12-5 victory over visiting Mercyhurst in a non-conference game inside Sherman Carter Memorial Stadium on Friday afternoon.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Radford – 12, Mercyhurst – 5
LOCATION: Sherman Carter Memorial Stadium (Radford, Virginia)
RECORDS: Radford 3-5 (0-0 Big South), Mercyhurst 1-7 (0-0 NEC)
THE BREAKDOWN
- It was a well-balanced attack for the Highlanders in this one. Four different student-athletes knocked in two runs apiece, respectively.
-
James Ward left the yard off a 2-for-5 performance. To go with the homer, he knocked in two RBI and came around to score twice.
-
Jhonkeanu Perez stayed hot with a 2-for-4 effort that included two RBI, one triple, one run and a walk.
- Speaking of staying hot,
Breckin Nace continued his scorching start to the season with another 1-for-4 day with two RBI and a run scored.
-
Hunter Keen also had a big afternoon with a 1-for-3 outing that featured two RBI and a run.
- Overall, the top four batters in the Highlanders lineup combined to go 6-for-16 (.375) with one home run, two doubles, one triple, eight RBI, five runs scored and two bases on balls.
-
Trey Ludy picked up the win on the mound with 2.2 standout innings of work. He struck out four Lakers and did not allow a single runner to reach base.
-
Tyler Kehoe (2-for-4, one walk),
Eli Hudgins (1-for-3) and
Corbin Grantham (2-for-3, three runs scored) each chipped in a single RBI in the win to round out the stellar offensive outburst.
- The 12 runs for Radford was the second-most scored by the squad in a game so far this season.
- Both
Noah Arnett and
Matthew Lefevers also threw a scoreless frame in relief in the victory.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Radford didn't take long to get on the board as the Highlanders dropped two runs in the bottom of the first, courtesy of a two-run shot by Ward to make it 2-0 early.
- Mercyhurst answered right back with four runs in the top of the second to take the lead at 4-2.
- It was basically all Radford from that point on. The Highlanders pushed across three runs in the bottom of the second, three more in the fourth, another three in the sixth and an additional insurance run in the seventh to cruise to the 12-5 win.
THE HIGHLIGHTS
NEXT UP
The Highlanders and Lakers will get right back to it with game two of the series on Saturday, March 1. First pitch has been moved up an hour from its original time and will now be at 1 PM ET at Sherman Carter Memorial Stadium. Admission for all spectators is free of charge.
GET IN THE GAME: FOLLOW RADFORD BASEBALL
Get in the game and get New River City made by staying up to date with the latest from Radford baseball through
@RadfordBaseball on X,
@radfordbaseball on Instagram,
Radford Baseball on Facebook and
subscribe to the Radford Athletics YouTube channel.
