Tribe Rallies Past Radford In Tenth

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. -- William and Mary junior first baseman Jeff Lunardi scored the winning run on a wild pitch in the bottom of the tenth inning after he drove in the two tying runs with a single as William and Mary rallied to defeat Radford 9-8 in ten innings this afternoon at Plumeri Park. The Tribe snaps its four game losing streak as it evens its record to 4-4, while the Highlanders fall to 1-6. (Box Score)

Tribe freshman righthander Jake Rule picked up the win after yielding two runs, one earned, on two hits in two innings of work. He improves to 2-0. Radford reliever Bret Lieberman fell to 0-1 after being charged with the loss. He allowed three runs, two earned, on four hits in one inning.

W&M starter Forrest Cory received a no decision after his strongest outing of the year. Cory scattered four hits and allowed one run while striking out three and walking none in seven innings of work. Radford starter Justin Tubb also received a no decision after he allowed four runs, all earned, on six hits in six and one-thirds innings of work.

The Tribe opened the scoring in the bottom of the first as Brent McWhorter ripped a one-out single left, moved to second on a flyout by Chris Rahl, and scored on Mike DeCarlo's double to the gap in right center.

W&M added another in the fifth to extend the lead to 2-0, as McWhorter singled home Jon Rhymes who had reached when he was hit by a pitch.

The margin grew to 4-0 in the sixth after the Tribe plated two, two out runs. Greg Sexton reached on an infield single, moved to second when Will Rhymes was hit by a pitch, and scored on Lunardi's double to left center.

Cory, meanwhile cruised through six and two-thirds before allowing a run, as Aaron Ranft led off with a double, moved to third on a groundout, and scored on another groundout. Prior to yielding that run, Cory's only jam came in the first when the Highlanders put runners on second and third with one out, but he struck out the next two batters to retire the side.

Down 4-1, Radford rallied to score four runs in the eighth to take its first lead of the game at 5-4. Radford pieced together three hits in the frame and took advantage of a Tribe error. The Highlanders added another in the ninth to extend the lead to 6-4, but the Tribe answered the challenge in its half.

Will Rhymes blasted the first pitch over the rightfield wall for his first homer of the year to cut the lead to one. Terry Revere (Smithtown, NY) and Jon Rhymes were both walked, bringing Lieberman into the game. Sean Grieve (Flourtown, PA) followed with his first career hit, an infield dribbler to load the bases for Kyle Padgett (Needham, MA) who tied the score with a sacrifice fly to right.

Radford quickly regained its two run lead by plating two runs in the tenth, but the College responded one more time in its half. DeCarlo reached on an infield single and moved to second on a single by Sexton. DeCarlo was lifted for pinch runner Bryan Morosky (Gahanna, OH), and he and Sexton moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Will Rhymes. With the

tying runners in scoring position, Lunardi singled both men home with a blast up the middle. Lunardi advanced to second on the throw, and moved to third when the throw home sailed to the backstop. He scored easily on the very next pitch when Lieberman’s pitch sailed behind Revere as the Tribe won, 9-8.

Both teams recorded 11 hits as McWhorter, Lunardi, Sexton and DeCarlo each led the Tribe with two hits. Jesse Ross and Mark Fleischer both led the way for the Highlanders with two hits apiece. W&M finished with three errors while Radford totaled one.

Game two of the series gets underway tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. at Plumeri Park.