Softball Upended In Saturday Doubleheader at USC Upstate

Saturday, March 21

Spartanburg, S.C.

1:00 PM

Radford University

11-16, 0-2

USC Upstate

19-11, 2-0

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Radford	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	10	0
USC Upstate	3	0	0	0	0	0	X	3	6	1

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

Photo by: Rob Simmons

Softball Upended In Saturday Doubleheader at USC Upstate

3/21/2026 9:02:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Radford softball program fell in a pair of tough games Saturday afternoon to close their weekend series at USC Upstate, dropping game on 3-1 and falling in game two 6-5.

GAME ONE
The Highlanders had another strong pitching showing in game one, but runners left on base became a big issue once again as the Spartans took the series. Right away in the first Radford got a good shot with three base hits in the frame by Peyton Simmons, Amanda Lee and Abby Bossler. A caught stealing helped end the threat, though, as USC Upstate kept Radford scoreless.

The Spartans responded with their only three runs of the game in the bottom of the first, thanks mostly in part to a two-run homer. Madison Sabo would enter in relief and would toss an incredible five plus innings of work to keep the Highlanders in striking distance.

After a quiet second, Radford got another chance going in the third as Simmons singled, Hailey Scott singled and Bossler walked to load the bases. An unfortunate double play ended the inning as the Highlanders' streak of scoreless frames moved to 12. Hits from Kelley Feigen, Dakota Redmon and a walk from Layla Miles had the bases loaded once again in the fourth. Another double play came at the worst time, though, and kept it a 3-0 game.

Sabo kept cruising and worked another flawless fourth inning. In the fifth, Radford would finally break through. After an error helped extend the inning, Feigen came up clutch with a two-out RBI single up the middle that scored Lee to have the Highlanders trailing just 3-1.

The rally halted from there, though, as Radford would get just one baserunner the rest of the way thanks to another hit from Bossler. Sabo was elite, but the deficit wouldn't be overcome as USC Upstate took game one 3-1 and sealed the series victory.

GAME TWO
The bats came alive in game two, but defensive miscues would pile up leading to the tough finish to the weekend for the Highlanders. Both teams would leave runners in scoring position in the first inning before Radford struck first in the second. Scott led off the inning with a solo blast giving Radford their first lead of the weekend at 1-0.

The Spartans immediately struck back in the bottom half, though, taking advantage of a throwing error off a bunt and stringing together some hits to jump back ahead 3-1. The deficit would remain at two until the Highlanders got things rolling in the fifth.

Redmon began the inning with a single and Malli Groves doubled to put two runners in scoring position. Grace Bechtol had the first RBI hit with a hard-hit ball past the shortstop which scored one run. A single up the middle from Peyton Simmons would score two more, vaulting Radford back ahead 4-3.

As storms rolled in, more defensive miscues led to a trio of Spartans runs in the bottom of the fifth. Coming out of an extended delay, Redmon stayed hot at the plate hitting her first career home run to pull Radford back within one. The rally would fall short, though, as USC Upstate held on in the eventual 6-5 final.

UP NEXT
Radford will go on the road for a quick midweek matchup with a strong Charlotte squad this upcoming Tuesday, March 24th. First pitch is set for 5:00 p.m. on ESPN+.

STAY SOCIAL WITH RADFORD SOFTBALL
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