Highlanders Cruise Past High Point

RADFORD, Va. -- Radford pounded out a season-high 21 hits en route to a 15-2 Big South Conference win over High Point Friday afternoon at Dedmon Center Park.(Box Score)

RU starter Justin Morgan (4-4) picked up the victory, throwing seven innings, allowing two runs, one earned, on six hits. He also struck out six batters. Right-hander Michael Schurz closed out the game for the Highlanders, throwing two innings and allowing just two hits.

High Point starter Eammon Portice (5-3) took the loss, surrendering six runs, five earned, on 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings.

The game was a pitcher’s duel through four and a half innings, with both teams scoring a run in the first inning. High Point’s tally came on a groundout by first baseman Randy Schwartz that scored shortstop Jeremy Neyra. RU centerfielder Steve Mignogna crossed the plate on a groundout by second baseman Alan Ashworth. The Panthers (16-21; 5-8) added one run in the fourth when designated hitter Seby Renta was singled home by right fielder Brett Lazar.

Radford (9-23; 4-6 Big South) took over from there, scoring three runs in the fifth, two in the sixth, six in the seventh and three in the eighth. RU tallied 17 hits over the final four innings.

Mignogna’s fifth-inning double scored right fielder Matt Mantione, Ashworth had another RBI groundout that scored shortstop David Landman and designated hitter Mark Fleisher singled in Mignogna. Catcher Nate Toth hit his first career home run in the sixth, while Mantione, who reached on a wild pitch strikeout, scored on a passed ball.

The Highlanders batted around the order in the seventh, scoring six runs. All but two Radford players got a hit in the seventh, allowing RU to tally six runs on seven hits, all singles. Radford completed its scoring in the eighth, scoring runs on RBI singles by Mantione, Mignogna and Ashworth that plated left fielder Jonathan Spears, Toth and Mantione respectively.

Mignogna and Toth each had four hits for the Highs, with Mignogna collecting three RBI and Toth hitting in two. Ashworth, who had three hits on the day, also had three RBI. High Point scatted eight hits over seven players, with Lazar leading the way with a 2-for-4 performance with an RBI.

The two teams will square off in game two of the three-game Conference series Saturday at 1:00 pm. Right-hander Justin Tubb (2-3) is slated to go for the Highlanders while righty Matt Schlanger (3-4) will start on the mound for High Point.