Highlanders Fall to South Florida and Hofstra on First Day of Best Western Tournament

Tampa, Fla. -- Radford softball dropped their final two games on Sunday at the Best Western Tournament hosted by South Florida. The Highlanders (0-7) fell to Indiana (4-6) in eight innings, 12-5, and Maryland (4-4), 2-0. Against Indiana, Radford rallied from a 5-2 deficit, tying the game with a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh, only to see the Hoosiers score seven run in the top of the eight to pull out the win. The Highlanders fell to Maryland, as they were one-hit by Maryland’s Monica Cyphert.

In game one, the Highlanders jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first of three straight singles by Lara Wohlgemuth, Lindsey Woody and Ashley Smith. Smith knocked in Wohlgemuth from second and Woody scored on the same play after error by the leftfielder.

The Hoosier responded with a pair in the top of the second on an RBI double and a fielder’s choice. They would make it 5-2 on a two-out three run homer in the fifth. Radford scored a single run in the bottom half of the fifth when Krista Carson scored on a sac fly by Woody.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Highlanders rallied for a pair of runs on a one-out two run triple by Smith. Wohlgemuth started the rally with one a one out single. Woody would reach on a fielder’s choice and Wohlgemuth advanced to second on an error by the pitcher. Smith followed with her triple.

The momentum returned to the Hoosiers in the top of the eighth. A one-out RBI single put IU on top 6-5. After an error and a fielder’s choice, the Hoosiers produced six more runs on a single, back-to-back doubles and a sac fly.

Smith finished the game 2-for-3 with two RBI’s and Wohlgemuth went 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Woody also scored a pair of runs for the Highlanders. Deana Benner took the loss in relief, giving up nine runs, seven earned, on six hits. She walked three and struck out two in 5.2 innings of work.

In game two, Cyphert was the story with her one hit, 11-strikeout performance to down the Highlanders 2-0. Jennifer Bosley pitch a solid game as well, allowing two runs on three hits and striking out four in a complete game loss.

The Terps scored a run in the first on a sac fly and added an insurance run in the fourth on a two-out RBI double. Smith’s single in the top of the fourth was the Highlanders lone hit of the game.

The Highlanders travel to Chapel Hill, N.C. on Feb. 25 to face North Carolina at 3 p.m.

Radford vs. Indiana
Radford vs. Maryland