Clayton's Theft of Home Earns Split Against TAMUCC

Rock Hill, S.C. --Sara Beth Clayton (Chesapeake, Va./Louisburg) caught Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (22-19, 5-3 BSC) napping, as she stole home with two outs in the eighth inning to give Radford University (12-18, 1-1) a 4-3 victory and a split with the Islanders. The win stopped a five-game slide for RU, while the Islanders, who won game one 2-0, split a Conference double header for the third time in four games.

In game two, TAMUCC struck for two runs in the first on RBI singles by Megan Hanson and Jennifer Golden. Radford put an unearned run on the board in the bottom of the second on a two-out single by Amanda Walling (Summerville, S.C./Stratford), plating Clayton who led off the inning with a walk.

The Highlander tied the game at two in the third. With two out and Lindsay Woody (Annapolis, Md./Broadneck) on third, Clayton roped a triple to right to score Woody who led off the inning with a single. They would take the lead in the fourth on another two-out hit. This time it was Lara Wohlgemuth (Centreville, Va./Chantilly) on a bloop single just over the shortstop's glove, scoring Danielle Tompkins (Newport News, Va./Woodside) from second.

Radford had a chance to build on their lead in the fifth. After putting the first two runners on, the Highs' chances were stymied by Pauly who forced Clayton to pop up a bunt and then struck out the final to batters to end the threat.

The Islanders put on a two-out rally of their own in the sixth. Lindsey Maxey followed back-to-back singles by Katie Evans and Jennifer Golden with a RBI double to left to tie the game at three.

In the eighth, Clayton was placed on second. With one out she stole second and with two outs she bolted for home when Golden tossed the ball back to Pauly.

Freshman Breanna Felix (Spring Valley, Calif./Mount Miguel) earned her first collegiate win, scattering 10 hits striking out five and walking nine.

Ashley Smith (Roanoke, Va./Northside), Wohlgemuth and Woody each went 2-for-4. Wohlgemuth and Clayton each had a pair of stolen bases. Christy Cortez went 3-for-4 with two doubles, while Golden and Maxey each went 2-for-4 at the plate.

A two-out throwing error by Woody in the sixth inning allowed the Islanders to score two runs and take game one, 2-0. The Highlanders threatened in the bottom of the seventh. With two outs and runners at second and third, Jennifer Bosley (Oakland, Md./Southern Garrett) fly ball to left was caught at the fence for the final out.

Dani Damel (5-5) picked up the win for the Islanders, allowing two hits and striking out 10 in 6.2 innings of work. Sarah Pauley earned her fourth save, getting the final out on Bosley deep fly to left. Bosley (7-9) was the tough luck loser, allowing two unearned runs on three hits and struck out three.

Josi Sutton (Poquoson, Va./Poquoson) and Wohlgemuth each singled for the Highlanders, while Erica Armeta, Rachel Kitchens and Brenda Guerrero all singled for TAMUCC.

Radford host Birmingham-Southern on Tuesday at 2 p.m. in their Big South home opener.

Game One Box
Game Two Box