Highlanders Split with Appalachian State

Game 1 Box
Game 2 Box

Radford, Va. - On a night that saw a two-hour weather delay in game one, Deanna Benner (Glen Burnie, Md.) pitched a complete game one-hit shutout, as the Highlanders split in softball action with Appalachian State from Dedmon Center Park. In game one, her no-hit bid was broken up with two outs in the seventh on a high chopper to third base in RU's (13-32) 1-0 win. ASU (8-38) won game two, 3-2, behind a solid pitching performance from Jordan Arnold.

Game one was a pitching duel between Benner and ASU's Lael Rori. Benner finished the game striking out four and walking two to improve her record to 6-8. Rori was the tough luck loser, allowing an unearned run on six hits and striking out one in five innings of work.

Radford scored the games' only run in the fourth. With one out, Tina Rogers (Fairport, N.Y.) roped a RBI double to left center, scoring Hallie East (Roanoke, Va.) with the winning run. The Highlander squandered scoring chances throughout as they stranded 11 runners on the night.

In game two, an infield RBI single by ASU's Sarah Gough in the six inning proved to be the decisive run as a late inning rally by the Highlanders would fall short and allow the Mountaineers to hold on for the 3-2 win.

The Mountaineer would strike for single runs in the first and third innings to jump out to an early lead. In the first, Rorie lined a two-out RBI single to left to put the Mountaineers on the board. ASU grabbed a 2-0 lead when Laura Ammarell doubled home Amber Jacobs from second.

With the score 3-0, RU would finally get to Arnold who had giving up one hit in the first five and a third innings. Donita Brady (Virginia Beach, Va.) would score when the throw from centerfield scooted out of play after Ashley Smith's (Roanoke, Va.) double to center.

In the seventh, the Highlander loaded the bases with one out on a pair of ASU errors and bunt single by Amber Drexel (Louisville, Kent.). Ashleigh Brooks (Virginia Beach, Va.) knocked in the second run with a roller to first. The Highlanders were unable to push across the tying run as Brady grounded out to first to end the game.

For RU, Brady finished the day, 3-for-6 with a pair of walks, while Roger was also 3 for 6 with a double and an RBI.

Radford returns to the field tomorrow as they host Saint Francis (Pa.) at 3:00 p.m.