No. 3 Radford Eliminates No. 2 Longwood in 12 Innings, 3-2
RADFORD, Va. -- In a game that set a record for the most innings in a Big South Championship game, the Highlanders only needed three runs as Abby Morrow set a record with the most innings pitched in a game while at Radford.
BOX SCORE
Sofia Tapia was the star of the show offensively with a 3-for-5 game at the dish. Her most important hit came on a bunt single in the top of the 12th inning with the game tied at two. She moved to third on a throwing error by the Longwood third baseman on the same play.
Already with one walk-off single in the tournament, Douglas drove came through once again with a double to straightaway center. The double scored Tapia and gave Radford a 3-2 lead.
Tapia led off the game with a triple – and was only one hit away from the cycle – and later scored on a Talia Douglas groundout. The run gave Radford a 1-0 lead through a half inning.
The Lancers came back with two runs when Destiny Martinez cut the lead in half with a triple that scored Krista Kelly, who reached with a single. The Lancers took a 2-1 lead when Martinez scored from third on a Highlander throwing error.
Radford tied the game when Gagliano doubled to right center field in the top of the fifth. Gagliano's double allowed Lauren Maddrey to hustle home from second base and score the tying run. Radford wanted more, but left the bases loaded.
Morrow suffered eight hits, but only allowed two runs to score – one earned – and received some great defensive plays en route to her 23rd victory of the season, which ties her for fifth in a single-season at Radford.
The win over Longwood in the nightcap gave Radford a spot in the championship game on Saturday at noon. However, since the Highlanders already have one loss in the tournament they will need to beat the Flames twice in order to receive a berth to the NCAA Regionals.