BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Four Highlanders posted multi-hit performances to lead Radford past Campbell, 9-5, in the series finale on Sunday afternoon at Amanda Littlejohn Stadium.
The Camels fall to 18-21 overall and 6-9 in Big South play, while the Highlanders are 20-13 with a 5-4 mark in the conference. With three Big South games uncontested on the weekend, Campbell sits in sixth place in the league standings, while Radford is third.
Radford opened up the scoring in the first, plating one run to take an early 1-0 lead. Marissa Gagliano hit a lead-off double down the right field line, advanced to third off a foul out and scored via a Talia Douglas groundout.
The Orange and Black battled back in the bottom of the first, tacking on four runs to take a 4-1 lead. CU got things started with consecutive singles up the middle by
Bri Bryant and
Rachel McCollum.
Caroline Smith followed with a fielder's choice to third base to reach first.
With runners on first and second,
Lizabeth McCurry knocked another single through the middle to score McCollum and knot it up at 1-1.
Haydn Parker followed up with a walk to load the bases with
Megan Mozingo due up to the plate. The Goldsboro, N.C., native cleared the bases with a double over the head of the center fielder.
The visitors took back the lead in the second, plating six runs to take a 7-4 lead. The Highlanders recorded four hits in the offensive flurry, including a two-run home run by Douglas.
In the fourth, Radford extended the lead to four runs at 8-4, as Gagliano reached home following a fielding error by the Campbell defense. Gagliano reached base via a fielder's choice, stole second, advanced to third off a groundout and scored on the error.
Campbell took back one in the bottom of the fourth to cut the lead back to three runs at 8-5. Bryant smacked a solo home run over the wall in right center field, her third long ball of the Radford series.
The Highlanders extended the lead back to five runs in the seventh, tacking on an additional run to make it 9-5. Brianna Mills reached base off a two-out single to left field and scored three plays later off a wild pitch.
Kayla Huffman (6-3) picked up the win for the Highlanders, pitching six innings in relief while striking out eight and allowing four hits and one run. Abby Morrow got the start for Radford, pitching the opening inning.
Lexy Head (2-8) was charged with the loss, allowing four hits and six runs in 1.2 innings pitched for the Camels.
Haley Hutchins pitched the final 5.1 innings in relief, conceding seven hits and three runs while striking out four.
Up next, the Camels will head to Raleigh, N.C., for a mid-week contest against NC State on Wednesday at 5 p.m. For the latest information about Campbell softball, make sure to follow
@GoCamelsSB on Twitter.
