Highlanders Swept by Hokies

Game 1 Box
Game 2 Box

Radford, Va. – Radford dropped a pair of games to Virginia Tech, 11-2 in five innings and 7-1, in softball action from Dedmon Center Field. With the losses the Highlanders fall to 16-37, while the Hokies improve to 32-16.

In game one, Virginia Tech used a seven-run fourth to break open a 2-2 deadlock and cruise to the five-inning victory. The Hokies would open the scoring with a pair of runs in the third. After two quick outs, Virginia Tech strung together three consecutive hits. The last was a two-run single by Mindi Wylie, plating Amy Voorhees and Clarisa Crowell with the first two runs of the game.

In the bottom of the third, the Highlanders would tie things up. With one out, Amber Drexel reached on an error. After the second out, she would score when the second baseman missed the throw from the catcher at first base, allowing Ashley Smith to reach base and advance to second. Payton Nash would follow with an RBI single to knot the score at two.

The Hokies would explode for seven unearned runs in the fourth. After they loaded the bases on two errors and an infield single, Carmen Farmer singled to center to knock in two. The runner on first was thrown out trying to advance to third. Up next, Sarah Prosise would follow with a RBI double to left center. With two outs, an error extended the inning and Virginia Tech would take advantage by close out the scoring four more on three consecutive hits, making it 9-2.

Tech added two more in the fifth to make it 11-2. Crowell (8-4) earned the win, allowing two unearned runs on three hits, striking out four and walking none. Brandy Winstead (5-11) took the loss, giving up nine runs, two earned on 12 hits, striking out two in 3.2 innings.

A four-run first was all the Hokies needed as they went on to win game two, 7-1. In the first, the big blow came from Megan Evans, whose two-run homer made it 3-0. Virginia Tech would add a run in the fourth on a sacrifice fly from Chanel Garofalo and two in the fifth on a throwing error and an RBI single by Wylie.

Radford's lone run came in the sixth after two were out. Kelly Miles would triple in Stephanie Adams, who reached on a two-out walk. Natalie Smith (3-1) picked up the complete game win, giving up a run on five hits, striking out four and walking two. Deana Benner (8-10) suffered the defeat, going three innings, giving up four runs on eight hits and striking out two. Teresa Brewer was solid in relief for RU, giving up one hit and striking out two, while closing out the final 2.1 innings of the game.

Radford will play their final regular season game on Saturday, April 27, when they host Liberty at 1:00 p.m. at Dedmon Center Field.