Highlanders Sweep Winthrop Conference Matchup

Game 1 Box
Game 2 Box

Radford, Va. – Deana Benner's complete-game four hit shutout in game one keyed the Highlanders to a sweep over Winthrop in Big South softball action from Dedmon Center Field. After the 3-0 win, Radford won game two with a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth to pull out a 5-4 come-from-behind victory. With the wins, RU improves to 16-33 overall and 5-3 in the Big South, while the Lady Eagles fall to 20-24 and 4-6.

After Payton Nash gave the Highlanders a 2-0 lead in the first with a two-run double, Benner scattered four hits, struck out five and did not walk a batter to even her record to 8-8. This was her fourth shutout in her last five games and has not given up an earned run in 30 consecutive innings.

Ashleigh Brooks went 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored for the Highlanders, while Katy Agee also went 2-for-3 with a double for Winthrop. Kelli Johnson (18-11) took the loss for the Lady Eagles, giving up three runs (two earned) on five hits, striking one and walking one.

Payton Nash's RBI single in the bottom of the sixth broke a 4-4 tie to give RU the 5-4 game two win. Brandy Winstead (5-10) picked up the win, giving up four runs (one earned) on six hits in six innings of work. Benner worked the seventh, picking up her second save. Johnson (18-12) suffered the defeat, giving up five runs (one earned) on 13 hits, striking out nine and walking one.

The Highlanders got on the board with a run in the third on a RBI single by Brooks, scoring Amber Drexel who doubled to leadoff the inning. After two straight infield singles loaded the bases, Winthrop's defense stepped up forcing two runners at the plate and Johnson ended the inning with a strikeout.

The Lady Eagle tied things up in the fourth on a two-out RBI double by Megan Young. RU would respond with a pair the bottom half when Ashley Smith would single in a pair with two outs. Winthrop added a single run in the fifth and took a 4-3 lead in the sixth on a two-run homer to left by Katy Agee.

With two outs and runners on second and third in the Highlander sixth, a fielding error by the second baseman on a ground ball by Smith scored Drexel and allowed Nash to step up to the plate and deliver the game-winning hit. Drexel went 3-for-3 with a double and three runs scored, while Smith broke out a 2 for 26 slump by going 3-for-4, with two RBI. Agee and Young each had a pair of hits for the Lady Eagles.

Brooks went 1-for-3 with an RBI, scoring a pair of runs and walking for the 21st time this season, tying the single season walk record for Radford. It was also her 62nd for her career, just three shy of the career mark.

Radford will play their final road game of the season on April 23 when they travel to Johnson City, Tenn. to face East Tennessee State at 3:00 p.m.