Fleisher's Two Homers Lead Highlanders Past Liberty

RADFORD, Va.--Radford University tallied 13 hits, including two home runs by first baseman Mark Fleisher, to cruise past Big South Conference rival Liberty 14-8 Friday afternoon at Dedmon Center Park.(Box Score)

Fleisher, who was 4-for-4 with three RBI and four runs scored to lead RU, now has 11 home runs on the season. He also extended his hitting streak to 19 games. Second baseman Alan Ashworth, also collected a hit to push his hitting streak to 18 games.

Starter Justin Morgan (3-2) got the win for RU, throwing 7.2 innings, allowing eight runs, seven earned on 12 hits. Morgan struck out six and walked two in the effort. Liberty starter David Bechtold (5-5) pitched 2 2/3 innings, allowing four hits and five runs, four earned to take the loss. He struck out four and walked three.

Liberty (19-19, 5-8 Big South) stuck first, scoring three runs in the top of the second inning. Designated hitter Jeff Brown scored on a sacrifice fly by shortstop Ryan Hutchinson. Catcher Pete Eastman then hit a home run, scoring first baseman Josh Carter. Radford responded in the bottom of the inning when Fleisher led off with his first homers. Designated hitter John Vellines then hit a shot down the right field line that scored left fielder Kellen Wohlford.

The Flames would tack on another two runs in the top of the third when Brown and third baseman Carlos Garcia scored on a fielding error following a single by Carter. But the Highlanders exploded for six runs in the bottom of the inning to take the lead. Fleisher and shortstop Stuart Ritchie both scored when third baseman Shaun House smacked a double to right-center field. House then scored on a wild pitch. A triple by centerfielder Jesse Ross plated catcher Dean Altavilla, right fielder Ryan Ives and Vellines to give RU an 8-5 lead.

RU (17-18, 8-5 Big South) added another run in the fourth when House hit and RBI single to again drive Fleisher in. The Highlanders tallied four more runs in the fifth. Ross scored on a fielder’s choice by Ritchie. Fleisher then hit his second homer of the game, scoring Ritchie.

Liberty added one run in each the sixth seventh and eighth innings. Eastman hit his second home run of the game in the sixth. Boles scored on a Garcia single through the right side in the seventh. Right fielder Philip John scored in the eighth on an RBI single to center field by second baseman Michael Just.

RU scored its last run in the bottom of the eighth when Wohlford, who reached on a walk, took home on a wild pitch.

House and Wohlford each went 2-for-4 with House collecting three RBI. Ross also had three RBI for RU. Garcia led the Flames at the plate with a 3-for-5 performance. Eastman, who was 2-for-4, had three RBI.

The two teams will resume the three-game Big South series Saturday afternoon at Dedmon Center Park at 1:00 pm.