Ninth-Inning Heroics Give Radford Win, Tournament Berth

RADFORD, Va. -- First baseman Mark Fleisher hit a game tying two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth and third baseman Jesse Ross hit an RBI single to give Radford a 6-5 Big South Conference win over VMI Sunday afternoon at Dedmon Center Park. The victory, coupled with a Liberty 3-2 win over Charleston Southern gives Radford the sixth seed for the Bojangles Big South Conference Tournament.(Box Score)

Fleisher, who was 0-2 on the day, lofted a 2-2 pitch over the right centerfield fence to tie the game, driving in right fielder Matt Mantione, who had reached on a double. Left fielder Kellen Wohlford then laid down a bunt to reach first and promptly stole second. Ross stepped in and drove a 0-2 pitch up the middle to score Wohlford and give RU the win.

Casey Hodges (1-3) earned the win, his first of the season, allowing one unearned run on one hit in two innings of work. Hodges replaced starter Justin Morgan, who went seven complete, allowing four runs (two earned) on six hits. VMI reliever Jeff DeMara (6-3) took the loss, throwing 2 1/3 innings allowing three runs on four hits.

VMI scored first, tallying two runs in the third on a double by second baseman Chad Rice that scored right fielder Elliott Erbe. Shortstop Matt Smith then singled to centerfielder to score Rice.

Radford responded in the fifth with three runs to take the lead. Second baseman Alan Ashworth’s single up the middle scored shortstop David Landman. Wohlford then hit a two-RBI single to right center field to score Ashworth and centerfielder Steve Mignogna.

VMI took the lead in the sixth when left fielder Klint Reed hit a two-RBI single up the middle that pushed across Crumpler and Sweppenhiser, give VMI a 4-3 lead. The Keydets extended the lead by one in the top of the ninth when Smith’s single up the middle plated Erbe, giving VMI a 5-3 lead and setting the stage for RU’s ninth-inning heroics.

Ashworth and Wohlford each went 2-for-5 to lead Radford. Ashworth tallied one RBI while Wohlford and Fleisher each had two. Smith was 2-for-5 to lead the Keydets with two RBI. Reed also had two RBI for VMI.

Sunday's game was the regular season finale for both teams, which will advance to the Bojangles big South Tournament, which begins Wednesday in Conway, S.C. Radford will be the sixth seed and will face top-seeded Coastal Carolina at 11:00 am. VMI is the fifth seed and will face second-seeded Winthrop at 3:00 pm.