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RADFORD, VA. – Zack Ridgely went the distance and struck out seven, leading Radford to a 6-4 Big South series opening win over Campbell Friday at RU Baseball Stadium.
Radford moved to 7-19 overall and 2-2 in Big South play with the win, while Campbell dropped to 14-13 on the season and 2-2 in Big South games.
Ridgely (2-2) pitched a complete game for the Highlanders in the win, allowing four runs, one earned, on five hits while striking out seven without a walk.
Nick Thayer (4-3) was charged with the loss, working six innings with four runs, three earned, on four hits with two strikeouts and three walks. After allowing a run in the first on Danny Hrbek's base hit, the senior retired 10 in a row from the first into the fourth.
Erik Dowse tossed an inning for the Camels, coming in with a man on and no outs in the seventh, allowing two unearned runs on a hit with two strikeouts and a walk. Tyson Messer pitched a scoreless eighth, striking out one and walking one.
With the game tied at three after six complete, Radford broke through with a three run seventh on just one hit, Shane Johnsonbaugh's RBI single to center, aided by three walks, a hit by pitch and an error to take a 6-3 advantage.
Campbell threatened in the ninth after Brian Taylor's leadoff double. The senior scored on Zack Minnick's sacrifice fly, but a strikeout ended the Camel rally.
Hrbek paced RU at the plate, going 2-for-3 with three RBI, driving in runs in the first, sixth and seventh.
Parrish and Taylor both went 2-for-4 with a double in the loss. Taylor scored three times, while Parrish scored once and knocked in one.
The series continues Saturday at 4 p.m. and concludes Sunday at 2 p.m.
The Camels take on Appalachian State in Holly Springs, N.C. on April 5 before returning to Jim Perry Stadium for an eight game stretch, beginning with UNC Wilmington on April 6.
