BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - The visiting Radford Highlanders (13-16, 1-0 Big South) connected on solo home runs in the first and eighth innings on Friday afternoon at Brinkley Stadium, taking game one of a three game set as the Gardner-Webb University softball team (15-13, 0-1 Big South) fell in its league opener

Radford didn't take long to get on the board on Friday afternoon, with the visitors grabbing the lead with a solo home run ib the first at-bat of the game. While Radford was able to collect eight hits throughout the contest, the Highlanders were largely limited by freshman pitcher Hannah Frye. The Kingsport, Tenn. native finished out the extra innings game for Gardner-Webb, allowing two earned runs, only one walk, and producing 14 fly-outs.

For the Runnin' Bulldogs offense, junior second baseman Annicka McLaughlin plated the only run of the game and did so in a big spot. The Tuscon, Ariz. native pushed a hit into a difficult spot down the left field line with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, deep enough for junior left fielder Maura Pendleton to score from second. McLaughlin advanced to second on a bobble by the Radford fielder but was ultimately left stranded.

In the top of the eighth, Radford grabbed its lead back. A solo home run over the wall in straightway center put the Highlanders back in front, 2-1. Gardner-Webb then went down in order in the bottom of the eighth inning to finish the contest.

Gardner-Webb scored one run on seven hits in the game, leaving nine runners on base. Junior catcher Taylor Dreher finished with the only two-hit game for the 'Dawgs, going 2-for-3 with a walk.

UP NEXT
The opening series of Big South play continues on Saturday, as Gardner-Webb and Radford take the field for a 1:00 and 3:00 doubleheader at Brinkley Stadium.