Ninth Inning Rally Keys Highlanders to Sweep Over Elon on Senior Day
Freshman Jennifer Bosley Sets New Single-Season Strikeout Record

Radford, Va. -- Radford’s three seniors went out on a winning note when freshman Glynn Tolleson (Tomball, Texas) stroked a one-out RBI single in the bottom of the ninth to give the Highlanders a 6-5 come-from-behind victory in game two, completing a sweep of Elon. During the seventh inning, freshman Jennifer Bosley (Oakland, Md.) recorded her 132 strikeout, setting a new Radford University record, previously held by Jennifer Shellhammer (1999).

The Highlanders won game one 6-2, behind the strong pitching of senior Deana Benner (Glen Burnie, Md.). With the wins, RU moves into second place in the Conference, improving to 14-33 overall and 5-3 in the Big South. The Phoenix fall to 15-20-1 overall and 1-3 in the Conference.

In game one, Elon opened the scoring with a pair of runs in the third, but the Highlanders scored six unanswered runs, two in the third, fourth and fifth innings, to earn their first of two come-from-behind victories. Benner went the distance, scattering seven hits, striking out nine and not walking a batter. Jennifer Lamb suffered the loss, allowing five runs on nine hits, striking out four in five innings of work.

Elon jumped on Benner with two outs in the third. After Jennifer Newsome and Jessica Swearengin singled, Jenny Gustin plated both runners with a double down the leftfield line. The Highlanders responded in the bottom half of the inning on Tolleson’s two run single to left.

In the fourth, Radford took the lead for good when freshman Katie Lemmert (Lovettsville, Va.) followed sophomore Amber Drexel’s (Knoxville, Tenn.) leadoff double with a line shot over the fence in left center for a two-run homer and a 4-2 lead. RU would add a two more in the fifth. With one out, freshman Morgan Nicholas (Fairfax, Va.) doubled home sophomore Ashley Smith (Roanoke, Va.), who led off the inning with a single. Junior Hallie East (Roanoke, Va.) followed with run-scoring single, plating Lemmert.

East finished the game 3-for-3, while Smith and Tolleson each had a pair of hits for the Highlanders. Elon’s Newsome and Nicole Ellis each record went 2-for-3.

In game two, the Highlanders came out of the gates quickly, scoring four runs in the first inning. The Phoenix would rally and eventually tie the game with two outs in the seventh. They took a one run lead in the ninth, only to see the Highlanders plate a pair in the bottom half for the win.

In the first, and with the bases loaded, senior Tina Rogers (Fairport, N.Y.) knocked in the first run with a single to left. Drexel and Lemmert would follow with a sac fly and a two-run single respectively.

Elon slowly chipped away, scoring single runs in the fourth and fifth inning to cut the lead in half at 4-2. After a leadoff single by pinch hitter Megan Borgaard, Bosley struck out the next two batters. Down their last strike, Swearengin singled to keep the rally alive and Gustin followed with a two-run single to knot the score at four. Benner relieved Bosley and got out of further trouble by getting an inning ending groundout, after an error put runner on the corners.

In the ninth, the Phoenix scored on a fielder’s choice grounder by Newsome when the throw home was late. Benner would settle down and get the next three batters out, including Gustin, who had not been retired in her first three at-bats. Gustin finished 3-for-4 with three RBI.

After a failed sacrifice attempt, Lara Wohlgemuth (Centreville, Va.) tied the game with a single to right. An error by the right fielder allowed her to move to second. Woody followed with an infield single, moving Wohlgemuth to third, setting up Tolleson’s game two heroics. Wohlgemuth and Woody each finished 3-for-5, while Rogers was 2-for-4. Benner (5-17) picked up her second win of the day with 2.1 innings of hitless relief. Radford’s third senior, Donita Brady (Virginia Beach, Va.) went 1-for-4 with a run, tying her for fourth place in school history with 95.

Radford closes out their regular season on Saturday with rival Liberty University in Lynchburg. First pitch is at 1 p.m.

Game 1 Box
Game 2 Box