Highlanders Fall to South Florida and Hofstra on First Day of Best Western Tournament

Tampa, Fla. -- Radford’s softball team dropped their opening games at the Bist Western Tournament hosted by the University of South Florida on Friday. The Highlanders fell to the host, 6-1 and Hofstra in the night cap, 4-2.

In their first game of the day, the Bulls jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first. USF’s Kattrina Dowd got things started with a walk. Stephanie Roberts, Courtney Lewellen, and Holly Groves all singled with Dowd and Roberts scoring on the hits. After an error and two more singles, the Bulls were able to score two more runs in the inning.

Radford used a couple of hits and wild pitches to score their lone run of the game in the second inning. With two outs and Tina Rogers on first, Roger would advance to second on a wild pitch and third on a single by Hallie East. Donita Brady would walk to load the bases and Rogers would score on a wild pitch.

The Bulls came back to the plate and tacked on two more runs in the bottom half of the inning. Deana Benner suffered the loss allowing six runs, two earned, on 11 hits in six innings of work. Katie Duggar earned the win for the Bulls giving up one run on three hits in five innings.

In game two, the Highlanders fell into a 3-0 hole after three innings and were unable to recover as they lost to Hofstra, 4-2. Radford had their opportunities the entire game, but could not take advantage of four Pride errors, leaving 10 runners on base for the game. Freshman Lindsey Woody went 3-for-4 with a run scored.

Hofstra scored a single run in the second and two more in the third to take a 3-0 lead. The Highlanders would strike back for two in the top of the fifth. Lara Wohlgemuth and Woody led off the inning with back-to-back singles, putting runners on the corners with no outs. With two outs and Wohlgemuth and Woody on second and third, Amber Drexel drove home Wohlgemuth with a single. Woody would cut the lead to 3-2 when she scored on a passed ball on a third strike, allowing Tina Rogers to reach first.

The Pride put their final run on the board with a home run in the bottom of the fifth. Jennifer Bosely suffered the loss, allowing four runs on five hits and striking out nine.

Radford vs. USF
Radford vs. Hofstra