Radford Splits Twinbill With Bearcats

RADFORD, Va. - Radford University Baseball picked up its second win of the season Sunday, defeating Binghamton 8-4 in game two of a doubleheader at Dedmon Center Park. The Bearcats won game one 9-6. The two teams also split Saturday’s twinbill. (Game 1 Box Score)(Game 2 Box Score)

The Highlanders (2-8) broke open a scoreless game two in the bottom of the fourth inning, scoring six runs. Scott Gvozdas was walked home to start the scoring. John Vellines, Shaun House and Matt Mantione all scored on a Ryan Ives double. Alan Ashworth then singled home Ives, and then scored on a ground-out by Mark Fleisher. Binghamton (3-5) countered in the top of the fifth when Keith Ford tripled, scoring Pat Haughie and Brendon Hitchcock. But Radford would score two more runs in the bottom of the fifth when shortstop Stuart Ritchie hit a two-run homer, his second of the season, scoring House.

Fleisher picked up his first win of the season to improve to 1-1. He allowed five hits and four runs in 4.2 innings of work while striking out four batters. Robby Bursey earned the save by pitching three innings and holding off a late Bearcat rally, allowing three hits but no runs in 2.1 innings. Zachary Groh took the loss for Binghamton.

House was 2-for-2 and Kellen Wohlford and Ritchie were both 2-for-4 to lead RU. Ritchie also had two RBI. Binghamton was led by T.J. Kowalchuk and Whitney Powell, who were both 2-for-4.

In game one, RU took a 3-1 lead into the top of the seventh inning, but Binghamton exploded for eight runs in the final inning to take a 9-3 lead. The Highlanders scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh, but could not overcome the deficit.

Ritchie and Wohlford each were 2-for-4 with one RBI to lead RU in game one. Kowalchuk, Matt Caputo and Chris Darling each led the Bearcats with two hits apiece.

Bret Lieberman took the loss for the Highlanders, allowing five hits and seven earned runs in a relief appearance. Adam Shatkun got the win for Binghamton, pitching 1.2 innings allowing three hits and three runs.

Radford will return to action Wednesday when they travel to face East Tennessee State. First pitch is set for 3:00 pm.