May 13, 2011

Box Score

ROCK HILL, S.C. (www.BigSouthSports.com) - No. 1 Radford exploded for five runs in the fourth and added one in the sixth to defeat No. 5 Coastal Carolina, 6-5, in game 10 of the 2011 Big South Softball Championship presented by Musco Lighting Friday afternoon at Terry Field in Rock Hill, S.C.

With the win, Radford improves to 37-20, while Coastal Carolina falls to 25-33.

Chelsea Pineda and the Chanticleers went out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first as she teed off on a Chelsea Kelly offering and put it over the centerfield wall.

Radford scored five runs in the bottom of the fourth to take the 5-1 lead. Vicki Madden reached on a fielder's choice. Morgan Eye came in to pinch run for Madden and scored on a triple by Hannah Ojeda. Jesse Hutchens plated Ojeda with a bunt single. Maureen Hepner came in to pinch run for Hutchens and stole second. She moved to third on Lauren Williams' single. Hepner scored on a wild pitch, advancing Williams to third. Nichole Beall drew a walk and stole second to put runners on second and third. Taylor Cunningham cleared the bases with a two RBI single up the middle.

Coastal Carolina battled back and scored three runs in the top of the sixth to cut the Radford lead to 5-4. Jazmin Daigle led the inning off with a solo shot to left field. Sarah Maples followed with a single. Two batters later, Stacy Snellings brought home Maples with a long ball to right center.

Radford added a run in the bottom of the sixth to go out to a 6-4 lead. With two outs, Nichole Beall singled and stole second. Cunningham scored Nichole Beall with a single up the middle.

Coastal Carolina added one in the top of the seventh on an RBI single by Maples to cut the lead to 6-5 but that would be as close as it would get.

Stephanie Dameron picked up the win in the circle for the Highlanders, with Chelsea Kelly picking up the save. Ashley Bagwell suffered the loss.

Radford and Coastal Carolina will play again tonight at 8:00pm.

Quotes
Radford Head Coach Mickey Dean
"I am pleased that we didn't get down on ourselves after leaving runners in scoring position in the first three innings. We also got two big double-plays that got us out of trouble.

Coastal Carolina Head Coach Kelley Green
"I thought we played sluggish on defense. We didn't make physical mistakes, but mental ones. I was pleased with our offense. We kept battling back and we will look to regroup and be ready to go for the second game."