Seven Run Second Propels Highlanders past Elon, 12-9

Radford, Va. - The Radford University baseball team pounded out 14 hits en route to a 12-9 victory over Big South Conference foe Elon Saturday afternoon at Dedmon Center Park. The victory gives head coach Lew Kent his 168 career victory, tying him with Scott Gines as the winningest coach in Highlander history. (Box Score)

The loss drops Elon to 22-9 on the season and 4-3 in conference play.

Elon was able to strike first, scoring two runs in the opening frame. Gary Morris had an RBI groundout and Brian Ingram tripled to right center, scoring Whitt Bryant to make it 2-0.

Radford's (12-18, 3-6) bats would come alive in the second as they scorched Elon starter Whitt Bryant for six runs on five hits. Shawn Abell tripled down the right field line scoring two, followed by designated hitter Mark Fliesher's RBI single to make it 3-2. The Highlanders would not be done there, as Jerry Fulton delivered a one-out single, scoring two more. Shaun House drove in the sixth run of the inning off a fielder's choice with the bases loaded and an error by Ross Cook allowed Keith Brunst to score to cap off the inning and give Radford a 7-3 lead.

Elon continued to keep the game close, scoring three runs in the third as Cook and Morgan Frazier each had RBI singles. Radford countered in the bottom of the inning plating three more runs to take a 10-5 lead, courtesy of an RBI double from Nat Hodges and the two other runs came as a result of an error by catcher Wes Miller and a wild pitch from Justin Weeks.

Scott Gvozdas doubled to left center in the fourth, scoring Fleisher to give Radford the 11-5 advantage. Elon battled back once again in the fifth as Miller had an RBI single and Taylor Stewart delivered a three-run blast to left to close the lead to 11-9. Fulton homered in the eighth to preserve the victory making the score 12-9.

Dave Eddinger (3-0) came on in relief of starter David Light and pitched 4.2 innings of scoreless ball to pick up the victory. Light pitched 4.1 innings allowing nine runs, while striking out three.

Elon starter Bryant (6-1) picked up his first loss on the season, lasting just 1.1 innings, giving up six earned runs.

Fliesher led the Highlanders offensively going 4-for-4 with an RBI and three runs scored. Hodges finished 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored and Fulton went 2-for-4 with three RBI's and a homerun.

Kent looks to stand alone at the top of the Highlanders all-time wins list tomorrow afternoon as Elon and Radford start a doubleheader at noon in Dedmon Center Park.