Highlanders Defeat Gardner-Webb but Fall to Tech

Gardner Webb Box
Virginia Tech Box

Blacksburg, Va. – Radford’s softball team split a pair of games at the Virginia Tech Easter Round Robin Tournament. In game one, a three-run sixth and a solid relief effort from Brandie Winstead helped Radford snap a five-game losing streak as they defeated Gardner-Webb, 6-5 at Virginia Tech. Game two was a different story as RU fell to Tech, 8-0 in six innings.

In game one, Winstead provided the Highlanders with four and a third innings of shutout relief, allowing five hits and striking out three Bulldogs to up her record to 3-9. Donita Brady (Virginia Beach, Va.), 2 for 3 in the game, provided the offensive heroics for RU in the sixth. Her two-out two-run game-winning single to left scoring Kelly Miles (Huntington, Md.) and Amber Drexel (Louisville, Kent.) gave the Highlanders the win. One batter earlier, Ashleigh Brooks (Virginia Beach, Va.) got RU within a run with a sac fly to deep center. In the bottom half of the inning, GW threatened in the by loading the bases with one out. The Highlanders would get out of the inning unscathed after a fielders choice and a fly out.

Radford jumped on the Bulldogs for three runs in the first. With one out, Payton Nash (Woodbridge, Va.) knocked in Brady and Ashley Smith (Roanoke, Va.) with a double to left center. After a ground out, Nash would score on a Tina Roger single to right.

After the Highlanders bases loaded threat ended with a line drive double play in the second, the Bulldogs got on the scoreboard with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning. They would take the lead in the third on a RBI single by Wallace and RBI double by Hill with two-out hits off of starting pitcher Teresa Brewer (Woodbridge, Va.). Winstead would come in and get a ground out to shortstop to end the inning.

Game two saw the Hokies jump out to a 5-0 lead with a run in the first and four in the second, highlighted by Carmen Farmer’s two-run homer to left, cruising to an 8-0 win over the Highlanders. Tech’s Natalie Smith picked up the win with a complete game three-hit shutout. She struck out three a walked one. Brooks and Hallie East (Roanoke, Va.) provided RU with all their offense, each notching a pair of singles. Deana Benner (Glen Burnie, Md.) suffered the loss, falling to 1-5 on the season.

Saturday, the Highlander will play the Bulldogs at 11 a.m. and VT at 3 p.m.