Smith Powers Highlanders to Split with Charleston Southern

Radford, Va. -- Ashley Smith (Roanoke, Va.) went 3-for-3 with a home run and a career high five RBI to lead Radford University (11-27, 3-3 Big South) to an 8-0 win in game two and earn a split with Charleston Southern (13-31, 3-3 BSC) in Big South softball action from Dedmon Center Park. Smith also homered in game one, which the Lady Buccaneers won, 3-1.

In game two, Radford jumped on the board in the first on an RBI single from Smith. They would put the game out of reach with a five-run fifth, highlighted by Smith’s three-run blast to right center. The Highlanders also plated runs in the inning on Krista Carson’s (Clifton, Va.) triple and a fielding error by the shortstop.

They would add two more in the fourth, as Smith struck again with an RBI single to center, knocking in Lindsay Woody (Annapolis, Md.) from second. On the next pitch, Glynn Tolleson (Tomball, Texas) stole home for the eight run. Woody and Tolleson scored three and two run respectively for the Highlanders.

Jennifer Bosley (Oakland, Md.) picked up the win to improve to 7-13. She allowed three hits, struck out six and walked one. CSU’s Dana Jacobs (11-19) took the loss, giving up six runs, four earned, on seven hits in three innings. She struck out two and walked one.

A three-run fifth was all CSU needed in game one, as Jacobs allowed one run and scattered eight hits in a complete game victory. Deana Benner (Glen Burnie, Md.) suffered the loss, allowing three runs, only one earned on four hits. She struck out three and walked one as she fell to 3-14. The Highlanders outhit Charleston Southern, 8-4, but left six runners on base.

After a single, error and a sac bunt put runners on second and third, Kerry Grimm and Danielle Archey produced back-to-back RBI singles to give the Lady Bucs a 2-0 lead. Jennifer Foster followed Archey with a safety squeeze for the third run. Grimm finished the game 2-for-3 and was 3-for-5 in the doubleheader.

Radford would get one back in the sixth on Smith’s first round tripper of the day, a line shot over the right field fence. She finished the afternoon, 4-for-7 with a pair of home runs and six RBI. Tolleson went 3-for-3 in game one and finished the day going a perfect 4-for-4 with two runs, two stolen bases and drawing a pair of walks.

The Highlander hit the road for the University of Georgia Tournament this weekend. They open play tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. against North Carolina, followed by a 6:00 p.m. game with the host Bulldogs. On Saturday, they face Bethune Cookman at noon.

Game 1 Box
Game 2 Box