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Radford University Athletics

Home Of The RadFord Highlanders RadFord Highlanders
Nace and Hudgins
Matthew Maldonado
12
Winner Radford RAD 22-21
10
ETSU ETSU 29-17
Winner
Radford RAD
22-21
12
Final
10
ETSU ETSU
29-17
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Radford RAD 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 6 0 12 11 0
ETSU ETSU 1 0 2 5 1 0 1 0 0 10 14 4

W: Noonan, Parker (2-1) L: Logan Grass (0-1) S: Hatcher, Mason (3)

Game Recap: Baseball |

Highlanders Score Six in Eighth, Come Away With Comeback Win at ETSU

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Trailing by four runs going into the eighth inning, the Radford Highlanders put up a six spot in the penultimate frame that led to a win in a wild midweek contest, taking down East Tennessee State by a final of 12-10 on Tuesday night at Thomas Stadium.

Radford seemed to be in control early after putting up four runs to start the contest. Breckin Nace hit a sacrifice fly to capitalize on two Buccaneer errors to take a 1-0 lead just one out in. Tyler Sparrer came through with a clutch two-out single to right that made it a three-run start. A couple more walks loaded the bases, and Carrington Aaron stayed patient to work a five-pitch walk and bring home a fourth run.

Ahead 4-1 in the third, Noah Toole and Brady Whitacre both reached the start of the third inning, and a double steal moved over into scoring position for Carter Richardson. The sophomore got one home on a RBI groundout, and Whitacre scampered home on a wild pitch that made it a 6-1 ballgame.

Breckin Nace ran into trouble in the bottom of the third, with Mason Self entering in relief early. Self walked in a couple but managed to escape with a 6-3 advantage going into the middle innings. That's when the bats came alive for the Buccaneers, as the reigning SoCon champs combined to score five runs in the fourth and another in the fifth to lead 9-6 through six. Things looked bleak for Radford after the hosts added another after the stretch to hold a 10-6 advantage.

That's when the Highlanders flipped the script on the Buccaneers, taking advantage of mistakes and coming through with clutch knocks. Richardson got it started by reaching on ETSU's fourth error of the game to leadoff the frame. A walk for Luke Sullivan coupled with a single by Junho Son loaded the bases with still nobody out. A couple more knocks caused more havoc, as Brooks Simpson and Hunter Keen added bas hits off a new Buccaneer pitcher made it a 10-8 game with the bases still loaded.

A four-pitch strikeout of Nace got the Buccaneers their first out and gave them a chance to get out of the jam with a double play. Toole avoided the twin killing in a big way, smacking a double to right field that tied the game at 10-10 and put the go-ahead run at third in Keen. That's when ETSU made another pitching change to bring in Andrew Cotten. Bringing Cotten in was a 'bold strategy', and this time, it paid off for the Highlanders. The right-hander uncorked a ball that got to the backstop, allowing Keen to score the go-ahead run. Cotten wasn't done, as he threw another wild pitch that allowed Toole to come home to make a dozen tallies for the Highlanders.

Hunter Howard made the most of an opportunity in relief, striking out the side in the eighth to preserve the lead going to the ninth. Mason Hatcher allowed the tying run to move into scoring position after yielding a single and walk but struck out Joey Little to end ETSU's hopes at forcing extras or walking it off. Parker Noonan got the win, allowing one run on three hits while stranding a couple in the seventh inning.

Radford was outhit 14-11 but capitalized on six walks and four Buccaneer errors to end up with the 12 runs. Toole played a crucial role in the victory, leading the Highlanders with three hits while accounting for five runs. He also had one of Radford's two extra-base hits, with Nace adding the other double in the win.

UP NEXT
Having played their final scheduled nonconference game, the Highlanders lock in for six crucial Big South contests to end the regular season. They host UNC Asheville for their final homestand of the season, with first pitch set for 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 8 at Carter Memorial Stadium.

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