SHELBY, N.C. – Radford scored seven runs in the late innings of Friday's game, erasing a four-run deficit to hand Gardner-Webb a 9-7 loss in this weekend's Big South Conference series opener.
 
Gardner-Webb (18-20, 8-11 Big South) led Radford (22-20, 13-6 Big South) by a 6-2 score after five innings, but the Highlanders would outscore the Runnin' Bulldogs by a 7-1 margin over the remaining four innings.
 
Radford began its rally in the top of the sixth, scoring a pair of runs on two bases loaded walks to set the score at 6-4.
 
GWU took one run back in the bottom half of the sixth as Jake Phillips led off by belting a solo home run to left field, his second home run of the season.
 
The Highlanders plated another pair or runs in the top of the seventh on a two-run home run by J.D. Mundy, his second of the night, bringing Radford within one run at 7-6.
 
Radford took the lead in the top of the eighth inning, scoring twice on a double down the left field line off of the bat of Andrew Szamski.  Another run scored later in the frame on a RBI fielder's choice by Straton Podaras.
 
The 'Dogs attempted to respond in the bottom of the eighth, putting runners on the corners with one out after a deep single to right field by Corey Howard, but were unable to capitalize as the Highlanders thwarted any comeback effort.
 
Radford took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a RBI groundout by Szamski.
 
Gardner-Webb claimed the lead in the bottom of the second inning, tying the game on a RBI double by Chris Clary, later followed by a RBI single to left field by Phillips to hold a 2-1 lead.
 
Radford tied the game in the top of the third as Mundy connected with a solo home run with two outs to left field, but GWU would again take the lead in the bottom half of the frame, scoring on a RBI single by Howard, later followed by a RBI fielder's choice by JP McGuire that allowed two runs to score.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs pushed their lead to 6-2 in the bottom of the fifth on a solo home run by Eric Jones, his second of 2019.
 
Gardner-Webb totaled 10 base hits on the evening, paced by Jones, who was 4-for-5 with a home run, one RBI, and two runs scored.
 
Radford had 11 hits, led my Mundy (2-for-3, 3 RBI, 2 HR).
 
Jarrett Thompson (1-2) took the loss for the Runnin' Bulldogs, allowing three runs on a pair of base hits in one inning in relief.  Starter Isaac Campbell lasted five innings, allowing three earned runs on eight hits with four strikeouts.
 
Bruce Hudson (4-1) earned the win for the Highlanders, tossing the final three scoreless frames, allowing a pair of base hits with two strikeouts.  Starter Zack Ridgely went 3.2 innings, giving up four earned runs on six hits with one strikeout.
 
The series continues tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 pm at Keeter Stadium in Shelby, N.C.