William & Mary Upends Highlanders, 6-3

RADFORD, Va.--William & Mary collected 15 hits en route to a 6-3 victory over Radford in non-conference baseball Tuesday afternoon at Dedmon Center Park. Radford falls to 21-26 overall, having lost seven of its last eight games. William & Mary improves to 33-18 on the year. (Box Score)

A big fourth inning was all William and Mary would need. The Tribe had a 2-1 lead on RU courtesy of a pair of RBI doubles in the second and third innings. Designated hitter Jason Losey hit one to right center that plated first baseman Greg Sexton in the top of the second. Second baseman Will Rhymes then hit another one to center to score centerfielder Terry Revere. The Tribe collected four hits in the fourth inning to score two more runs and take a 4-1 lead. Losey, who reached on a single, scored on a wild pitch. Left fielder Jon Rhymes then singled to score shortstop Kyle Padgett.

The Highlanders, who had scored in the bottom of the second inning when left fielder Ryan Ives came home on a wild pitch, added runs in the fifth and sixth innings to cut the Tribe’s lead to one. Centerfielder Jesse Ross reached on an error and then scored when shortstop Stuart Ritchie doubled to left field in the fifth inning. Designated hitter Mark Fleisher, who was walked, came home on a passed ball in the sixth inning.

William & Mary reliever Bill Bray held the Highlanders to just one hit for the rest of the game, and the Tribe added insurance runs in the eighth and ninth to seal the win. Right fielder Jeff Ludnari scored in the eight on an RBI single by Jon Rhymes and Revere scored in the ninth on an RBI single by Will Rhymes.

Radford starter Justin Tubb (4-8) went six innings, allowing four earned runs on 10 hits to take the loss for RU. William & Mary starter Phil Bartleski earned the win, allowing three runs, but just one earned run, on six hits in 6 1/3 innings. Both starters registered six strikeouts. Bray picked up his seventh save of the year, giving up one hit in 2 2/3 innings of work.

The Highlanders were led by Ritchie and catcher Dean Altavilla, both of whom went 2-for-4 at the plate. Ritchie also had one RBI. Jon Rhymes was 3-for-5 to lead the Tribe, collecting two RBI.

The game was briefly delayed in the top of the ninth inning due to lightning.

Radford will host VCU at Dedmon Center Park Wednesday at 3:00 pm. William & Mary returns home to face VMI Wednesday at 7:00 pm.