Four-Run Third Leads Radford To 8-5 Win Over Duke

Sunday, February 26

Durham, N.C.

1:00 PM

Duke University

Radford

Tonight?s Duke-Davidson Baseball Game Postponed Due To Rain

Four-Run Third Leads Radford To 8-5 Win Over Duke

2/26/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

By: Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C. ? The Radford Highlanders used a four-run third inning to pick up their first victory of the season, defeating the Duke Blue Devils, 8-5, on Sunday afternoon at Jack Coombs Field. The Blue Devils fall to 4-6 on the season while the Highlanders improve to 1-5.

Leading 3-2 entering the top of the third, catcher Nate Toth led off the inning with a single to right field. Two consecutive walks to first baseman Alex Gregory and designated hitter John Vellines loaded the bases for the Highlanders. Left fielder Aaron Ranft then reached on an error which allowed Toth to score. Center fielder Steven Ellis followed with a two-run single down the left field line to score Gregory and Vellines. After Ranft advanced to third on an errant pickoff attempt, right fielder Will Naylor grounded out to first, scoring Ranft to cap the inning.

The Highlanders took a 3-0 lead in the top of the second, scoring all three runs with two outs. After Ellis drew a walk and shortstop Ben Toth reached base on a bunt single, Naylor doubled down the left field line, scoring Ellis for the first run of the game. Second baseman David Landman capped the inning with a two-run double down the right field line, scoring Toth and Naylor.

The Blue Devils made it a one-run game by scoring two runs in the bottom half of the second. Third baseman Matt Williams singled to right field and then advanced to second on a balk, giving Duke a runner in scoring position. After left fielder Javier Socorro singled through the right side to advance Williams to third, catcher Ron Causey grounded out to second, allowing Williams to score Duke's first run of the day. Right fielder Adam Murray then laced an RBI-single through the right side to score Socorro from second.

Trailing 7-2 in the bottom of the third, Duke scored two runs to cut Radford's lead to three. Center fielder Jonathan Anderson led off the inning with a bunt single. Designated hitter Tim Sherlock then roped an RBI-triple to right field before scoring on a groundout by shortstop Brett Bartles.

Radford would push its lead to 8-4 in the top of the fourth when third baseman Drew Maus scored on a sacrifice fly by Vellines.

Duke cut the lead to 8-5 in the bottom of the fifth when Anderson scored on a sacrifice fly by Williams but the Blue Devils could not get any closer.

Radford reliever John Lloyd (1-0) pitched 0.2 innings of relief to pick up the win. Right-hander Michael Schurz worked a scoreless eighth and ninth to earn his first save of the year. Duke starter Jimmy Gallagher (1-2) suffered his second loss of the season, allowing six runs on four hits in 2.0 innings pitched.

Anderson and Socorro both collected two hits on the day while Sherlock, Bartles, Williams, Causey and Murray all had one RBI apiece for the Blue Devils.

Landman led Radford at the plate, going 3-for-5 with two RBI. Ellis and Naylor both went 1-for-4 at the plate with two RBI and a run scored for the Highlanders.

Duke took two-of-three games against Radford on the weekend for the series win.

The Blue Devils will hit the road for two away games this week, taking on East Carolina on Tuesday and UNC Wilmington on Wednesday. Duke will open ACC play next weekend as they get set to host Maryland for a three-game series at Jack Coombs Field.

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