The KSU men’s baseball team fell to Radford on Sunday 3-2, completing the series sweep for the Highlanders.
“We just weren’t able to get balls to drop when we needed them,” said KSU head coach Mike Sansing. “We out good barrel on the ball, but Radford played outstanding defense all three games and we could not manufacture runs.”
Radford jumped out to an early lead after driving in two runs in the first inning, forcing the Owls to play catch up. Highlander Jeff Kemp drove in two runners on base with a double after Radford opened with back-to-back singles.
The Owls fought back, tying the game 2-2 after the fifth inning, when Anthony Duran got on base with a single. Stealing second, Duran put himself in scoring position for Bo Way to send him home with a single up the middle. The run added to the 4th inning score by Max Pentecost after a Radford error.
The next four innings proved to be a pitching battle, as neither team were able to drive in a run. Jordan Hillyer would relieve Will Solomon, and would continue his hitless streak to 3.2 innings while collecting six strikeouts.
Justin McCalvin stepped up to the mound for the Owls in the ninth, and was able to grab the first two outs of the frame before Radford made a rally. Josh Reavis reached first on a single, stole second, and was driven home by Nygeal Andrews’s slow roller that found its way under Kal Simmons glove.
The Owls were able to get one runner on base in the ninth inning, but failed to cash in, falling to Radford 3-2. With the win, Radford swept the Owls, and handed KSU their first three losses of the season, one week after the Owls were named number 1 in the most current Ratings Percentage Index that is posted at WarrenNolan.com.
The Owls will look to bounce back in a road match against Auburn on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 4 p.m.