ROCK HILL, S.C. – No. 2 Radford started hot and held off a charging third seeded Coastal Carolina to pick up the 5-3 win Thursday evening in game four of the 2008 Big South Softball Championship.

With the win, Radford improves to 46-13, while the Lady Chanticleers fall to 19-39.

Radford jumped out to the early 1-0 lead as it moved one runner across in the bottom half of the first inning.  Ashley Carlson led the inning off with a walk.  She stole second and moved over to third on a throwing error.  Two batters later, Sarah Himan brought in Carlson with a single through the left side.

The Highlanders added two runs in the bottom of the second to push their lead to 3-0.  With one out, Cassie Rhodes drew a walk.  Alex Roderick followed with a single to move Rhodes over to third.  A groundout by Carlson moved Roderick to second.  Jennifer Everhart followed with a double to score Rhodes and Roderick.

Radford extended its lead to 5-0 as it crossed two runners in the bottom of the third.  Vicki Madden led the inning off with a walk.  Lauren Williams pinch ran for Madden and stole second.  Kristen Shifflett was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second as each advanced on a sacrifice by Hope Creasy.  Rhodes plated Williams and moved Shifflett to third on a single to the shortstop.  A sacrifice bunt by Taylor brought home Shifflett.

Coastal Carolina put runners across to cut the lead to 5-2 in the top of the fourth.  With two out, Allison Cantrell singled up the middle and was brought home by Verity Long-Droppert’s second homer of the tournament.

The Lady Chanticleers cut the lead to 5-3 as it plated one runner in the top of the fifth.  Alicia Irwin led the inning off with a double to left field.  Jessica Scott came in to pinch run for Irwin and found herself on third on a sacrifice bunt by Kelsey Riffel.  Alyssa Tornatore scored Scott on a sacrifice fly ball to left.

Radford posted five hits while the Lady Chants put down four hits on the day.

In the circle, Ashley Taylor landed the win for the Highlanders, while Ashley Frederick took the loss for Coastal Carolina.

With the win Radford will now play Winthrop tomorrow, May 9, at 3:00pm.  Coastal Carolina will play No. 5 Birmingham-Southern Friday, May 9, in the first round of the consolation bracket at 12:30pm.

Quotes
Radford Head Coach Mickey Dean
“Getting off to a quick start was the key to this game. Those early runs we put on the board put all the pressure on our opponent. We also played a great defensive game and that is what wins you championships.”

Coastal Carolina Head Coach Jess Dannelly
“We started hitting late. We had our chance in the sixth with bases loaded and one down, but we didn’t knock them in.”