Skip To Main Content

Radford University Athletics

Home Of The RadFord Highlanders RadFord Highlanders
Matthew Lefevers
Rob Simmons
2
James Madison JMU 7-8
4
Winner Radford RAD 8-6
James Madison JMU
7-8
2
Final
4
Radford RAD
8-6
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
James Madison JMU 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 2 8 0
Radford RAD 0 0 0 3 0 0 1 0 X 4 7 0

W: Lefevers, Matthew (3-0) L: Muscar, Tyler (1-2) S: Ludy, Trey (1)

Game Recap: Baseball |

Highlanders Topple In-State Foe James Madison at Home

By: Ian Greco

RADFORD, Va. – The Radford Highlanders used two big innings to power past the James Madison Dukes 4-2 on Tuesday, bringing Radford two games above .500 at 8-6.

Matthew Lefevers earned the starting nod atop the mound going through the first five innings for the Highlanders only allowing one run. Lefevers would throw 55 pitches while allowing just 5 hits to the Dukes. Lefevers looked in control, navigating through multiple Dukes baserunners.
 
The first three innings were defensive on both sides, with the first registered hit of the game coming in the bottom of the second inning from freshman Luke Sullivan. The only other action to start the game was a plethora of walks in favor of the Highlanders, and great collections of pop-outs and ground balls from the likes of Breckin Nace at first base.
 
The first real kick of scoring action would go Radford's way in the fourth inning after a James Madison run was scored from a sacrifice hit in the top of the inning. The Highlanders were able to instantly respond with a ground-rule double from Eli Hudgins, bouncing over the right field wall.
 
Still with zero outs, Breckin Nace hit a single that dropped into left field to put him and Hudgins on first and third, respectively. Then a deep sacrifice hit from Devin Parks led to Hudgins rounding home to level the score at one apiece. Luke Sullivan continued the streak of good Radford form in the inning with a single that saw him and Nace on first and second, that is until Breckin Nace stole third to apply more pressure to the Dukes.
 
This pressure would amount to an Alex Levesque double down the third-base line that brought in both Nace and Sullivan for a 3-1 lead. After a sacrifice hit saw Levesque move to third, the final out of the inning would stop the Radford scoring train temporarily.

That Highlanders scoring train would once again leave the station in the bottom of the seventh inning, but not until after lefty Will Palmer closed out the top of the seventh by picking off a runner on first. Once Radford got back to bat in the seventh there was no looking back, with Alex Levesque once again earning a single. At the next at bat, Brady Whitacre had an official review for a potential hit-by-pitch that was later ruled a foul ball. Regardless of the call, Whitacre still found his way to first base with a single that saw Levesque make his way to third. Carrington Aaron then executed a sacrifice run that brought Levesque home, making the score 4-1.
 
Although James Madison struck back with a solo homer at the top of the eighth inning, it was only enough to bring the final score to 4-2 in favor of Radford, securing the mid-week victory for the Highlanders.
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders will face off against Winthrop for the first round of conference play this season in a three-game series on their home turf in Rock Hill, S.C. The first matchup is scheduled for Friday, March 13th with action running through the weekend until Sunday, March 15th.
 
STAY SOCIAL WITH RADFORD BASEBALL
For all the latest on Radford Baseball, be sure to follow the team on X (@RadfordBaseball), Instagram (@radfordbaseball), and "like" the team's official Facebook Page (Radford Baseball).

#RiseAndDefend x #RWay
 
Print Friendly Version
Skip To Footer