Baseball Cruises Past Bucknell in the First Game of the Series

Friday, February 20

Radford, Va.

3:00 PM

Radford University

4-1

Bucknell

0-4

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Bucknell	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	7	2
Radford	0	3	0	1	0	0	3	0	X	7	6	1

Photo by: Rob Simmons

Baseball Cruises Past Bucknell in the First Game of the Series

2/20/2026 6:34:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

RADFORD, Va. – The Radford Highlanders used two big innings to power past the Bucknell Bison 7-1 on Friday to take game one of the series.

Raymond Ladd would once again take the ball for the opening game of the series for the Highlanders. Ladd would show off his arm as he retired five of the nine batters he faced by strikeout, allowing no hits. Ladd is continuing to slowly work back into a heavier load, working back from an injury sustained last season.

Brady Powell would fire things up at the bottom of the second with a single to third base, forcing a throwing error by the third baseman to land him in scoring position. Tyler Sparrer would be next up for the Highlanders, reaching first base on an error by the shortstop, advancing Powell to third on the play, leaving Mason Self up next with runners on the corners. Self stepped up to the plate, hitting a sacrifice fly, scoring Powell to start things out for the Highlanders at 1-0. Eli Hudgins would come up with two outs, hitting an RBI single, followed by Noah Toole doing the same, pulling the Highlanders further ahead with a lead of 3-0.

Daniel Quintana would come in to relieve Ladd at the top of the fourth inning. Quintana would instantly gain an extra run of support with a Carrington Aaron sacrifice bunt in the bottom of the fourth. This would increase the advantage to 4-0 for the Highlanders.

The Highlanders would once again break things open in the bottom of the seventh inning with Devin Parks, as he would find himself at the plate with bases loaded and only one out. After working six pitches in the at-bat, the seventh would hit him, leading to an RBI as he took one for the team. With Breckin Nace up for the Highlanders next, the first pitch of the at-bat bounced away, and with the catcher grabbing the ball with his mask, it resulted in a balk advancing all runners, bringing the lead to 6-0. Nace would go on to hit a sacrifice fly, gaining an RBI to extend the lead to 7-0 for the Highlanders.

Quintana would once again go for five strong innings for the Highlanders with six hits and no runs given up to the Bison. This would be enough to secure Quintana the win, his second of the season, for a 2-0 record. Will Palmer would come in to face one batter as he retired them in three straight pitches. Eli Baker would come in after Palmer to close the game.

The Bison would not go quietly as they worked to score one run, bringing the final score of the game to 7-1 for the Highlanders.

UP NEXT
Due to a schedule change, the Highlanders will now have a double header tomorrow against the Bucknell Bison. First pitch is scheduled for Saturday, February 21^st at noon, with the second game to be played 45 minutes after the final out of game one.

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