JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (April 25, 2023) – Playing their final non-conference games of the year, the ETSU softball team picked up a 4-3 win in game one of a doubleheader against Radford on Tuesday at Betty Basler Field. In game two, the Bucs were edged in a 2-1 final.
Splitting the contests, ETSU moves to 13-31 on the year, while Radford heads home with a 14-30 mark. Both teams return to conference play this weekend.
RECORDS
ETSU (13-31)
Radford (14-30)
GAME ONE RECAP
After ETSU left two runners on base in the bottom of the first, Radford took the early lead in the second inning as Rachel Smith hit a triple to right field and later scored on a throwdown to second as her teammate was caught stealing, allowing Smith to score the first run of the game.
In the bottom of the second inning, Jasmine Sanchez (Buford, Ga.) hit her third collegiate double to open the home half. After two outs and advancing to third, Sanchez broke for home successfully as Kasidy Dunn (Friendsville, Tenn.) stole second to tie things up.
To open the bottom of the third, Cameron Young (Knoxville, Tenn.) extended her hit streak to nine games with her 14th double of the year. After Young advanced to third on a wild pitch, Sara Muir (Sequatchie, Tenn.) grounded home the run to make it 2-1.
Tying the game in the fifth inning, Radford’s Kari Shedrick hit a solo home run to right field in the away half. After two scoreless innings by both sides, the game went to extra innings. The Highlanders scored in the top of the ninth with an RBI single by Taylor Breidt to temporarily take the lead.
Pinch hitting for the Bucs in the bottom of the ninth, Emily Musco (Knoxville, Tenn.) recorded her sixth RBI of the year with a single to right field to tie the game at 3-3. With runners on the corners after Sanchez reached on a fielder’s choice, Makenzie Henderson (Knoxville, Tenn.) hit a single to right field to give ETSU the game one win Riley Nayadley (Ooltewah, Tenn.).
GAME TWO RECAP
In game two, Muir made the start in the circle for the Blue & Gold. After two scoreless innings, Radford delivered a four-hit third inning to score two runs. Both runs happened off an RBI double by Aby Wilson to score Laura Thompson and Lexi Roberts.
After two hitless frames by ETSU, Muir blasted her 10th homer of the year over the left-field wall to put the Bucs on the board. Unfortunately, the Bucs’ comeback fell short in the bottom of the seventh as the Bucs stranded the tying run on first.
PITCHERS OF RECORD
ETSU: Brianna Bailey (9-9) – win. | Game two: Sara Muir (1-6) – loss.
Radford: Malorie Reeves (2-12) – loss. | Game two: Ellen Palya (4-4) – win.
UP NEXT
The Blue & Gold will finish their road slate for the year with a trip to Cullowhee, N.C. to take on Western Carolina. The Bucs will play a doubleheader on Saturday, starting at noon and conclude with a single game Sunday at 1 p.m.