Radford, Va. ? Appalachian State softball was swept on Thursday afternoon by Radford, extending their losing streak to five straight. Appalachian was run-ruled in the opener, 8-0. In the second game, ASU rallied to tie the game at two before losing in the seventh inning, 3-2. The Mountaineers fall to 7-28 on the season while Radford improves to 32-13.

In the first game, the Mountaineers were unable to quiet the Highlander bats, allowing eight runs off nine hits in the five inning game. Junior Yancy Moose took the loss, dropping her to 2-11 on the season. She allowed five runs off six hits in two innings of work. Junior Teri Fister hurled the remaining two frames for the Apps, allowing three runs off three hits in two innings of work. She fanned two and walked none in the outing.

Appalachian put four runners on base in the game. Freshman Sarah Rappe laced her third double of the season in the first but failed to score after advancing to third on a ground out. In the third, senior Tiffany Hensley beat out a bunt down the third base line, but was retired advancing to second on a fielders choice by junior Andrea McIntyre. Freshman Katie Boyd was the final ASU runner as she reached on a throwing error by the pitcher in the fourth inning.

In game two, the Mountaineers were able to tie the game up at 1-1 in the fifth inning. Senior Natalie Willis was plated by junior Brittany Gaston with a hard single through the left side. Radford errors contributed to the inning with Willis advancing to second off a miscue by the left fielder while Rappe reached by an error by the pitcher on what would have been the third out.

In the bottom of the fifth, Radford struck for their second run of the game, to break ASU junior starting pitcher Kayla Richardson’s streak of 12 consecutive retired batters.

In the top of the seventh, McIntyre stepped in only one out from defeat and gave the ball a ride off the scoreboard in left field for her first career home run. McIntyre, raised in nearby Christiansburg, Va., delivered the game-tying shot in her first series against her hometown team.

In the bottom of the seventh, Radford loaded the bases and pushed across the winning run with two outs in the inning. Richardson took the loss in her 15th complete game of the season. She fanned four and walked one batter intentionally.

Appalachian will open a three-game series with Elon on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.