Lady Bulldogs Fall to Radford, 3-0 and 3-2, in Big South Conference Action
April 02, 2010 | Softball
Radford, Va. - Gardner-Webb managed only two runs in five hits over the double header with Radford on Friday afternoon, as the Highlanders defeated the Lady Bulldogs 3-0 and 3-2 in Big South conference action in Radford, Va.
The loss drops the Lady Bulldogs to 11-22 overall and 1-3 in the Big South, while Radford improves to 19-10 overall and 7-1 in conference play. GWU has now lost seven in a row, while Radford remains unbeaten at home at 11-0.
Game 1: Radford 3, Gardner-Webb 0
Game one saw a pitcher's duel, as Gardner-Webb's Christine Murray and Radford's Chelsea Kelly went head-to-head, combining to allow only two runs on six hits, while striking out eight hitters over 12.1 innings.
However, Gardner-Webb was held to only one hit for the game, a Lindsea Hutchinson double to left center field to lead off the top of the third, as the Highlanders used the long ball, blasting three solo home runs to pick up the 3-0 win.
Radford got on the board first, as centerfielder Shannon Keefe hit a solo home run over the left center field fence, putting the Highlanders up 1-0 in the fourth.
The Highlanders added two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth, as Nichole Beall and Sarah Himan hit back-to-back solo shots to put the home team up 3-0 heading into the final inning of play.
Murry (6-10) picked up the loss for GWU despite holding the high powered Highlander offense to only two runs on five hits, while striking out five Radford hitters over 5.1 innings of work.
Radford's Kelly (12-5) allowed one hit and only one base runner while striking out three in the complete game shutout win.
GWU's Hutchinson was the lone Lady Bulldog to reach base safely, as the sophomore outfielder was 1-2 with a double.
Radford's Himan was 2-3 with a home run, while Nichole Beall (1-3) and Keefe (1-3) each had a solo home run as well.
Game 2: Radford 3, Gardner-Webb 2
The second game of the twin bill took all seven innings, as the Highlanders had a seventh inning two-out bases loaded two-run double to pick up the 3-2 win.
For the second straight game, the Highlanders got on the board first, as in the bottom of the first Nichole Beall singled to center field to score Kristen Shifflett and put the Highlanders in front 1-0.
Gardner-Webb answered in the top of the third, as Hutchinson reached base safely on a Radford error to lead off the inning. After fellow sophomore Michelle Primm moved Hutchinson over to second on a sacrifice bunt, freshman third-baseman Jordyn Arrowood then doubled to center field to drive in Hutchinson and tie the score up at 1-1.
GWU's Hutchinson scored the next Lady Bulldog run, as the sophomore blasted a home run to left center field in the top of the fifth, giving the visitors its first lead of the day at 2-1.
The Highlanders refused to go away, as the home team loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. Himan came up and belted a double to right center field to score two and give Radford the 3-2 win.
Gardner-Webb's Cindy Boomhower (3-9) suffered the loss, as the righty gave up three runs on nine hits, while striking out five hitters over 6.2 innings of work.
The win went to Radford's Kellie Snooks (5-3), as she surrendered two runs, one of which was earned, on four hits over seven innings for the complete game win.
Hutchinson continued her hitting streak, as she was 1-2 with a home run, an RBI and two runs scored, while Arrowood was 1-2 with a double and an RBI. Junior Kelsey Witter and sophomore catcher McKenzie Morenus were both 1-3 for the game.
For Radford, Himan was 3-4 with a double and two RBIs, while Shifflett was 1-4 with two runs scored and a stolen base.
Gardner-Webb and Radford will play the third and final game of the three-game series tomorrow afternoon, Saturday, April 3, at 1 p.m. in Radford, Va.
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| Game 2 Box Score: Radford 3, Gardner-Webb 2 |
| Game 1 Box Score: Radford 3, Gardner-Webb 0 |
