Bulldogs Blanked by Radford, 5-0

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - Radford right-hander Eddie Butler tossed a complete-game shutout as the Highlanders defeated UNC Asheville 5-0 in Big South Conference action at McCormick Field Friday afternoon.

The sophomore right-hander scattered six hits, struck out five and walked just one as he raised his record to 6-1. The Bulldogs only got one runner as far as third base during the game and that came in the ninth inning.

The Bulldogs (15-23, 7-9 BSC) were led at the plate by Mike Vaughn with two hits. He was the only Asheville player with more than one hit. The victory was Radford 's (22-15, 8-5 BSC) sixth straight Big South Conference victory.

"Today you just tip your cap to Mr. Butler. He was outstanding and didn't give us much of a chance," stated Asheville coach Tom Smith. "We didn't play bad. We just ran into a hot pitcher who was on his game. We'll come back tomorrow."

Radford opened the scoring in the second inning with three straight hits to open the inning. Brett Mollenhauer's infield single scored Matt Mack to put the Highlanders in front 1-0.

In the third inning. Ryan Burgess' three-run double the right-field line pushed the Highlanders' lead to 4-0. The inning opened with a double from Zach Costello. Jeff Kemp's single moved Costello to third. An infield single from Mack loaded the bases.

Burgess then followed with a drive that was just fair inside the first base bag. The ball rolled to the right-field corner scoring all three Highlanders.

RU scored an unearned run in the fourth to push the lead to 5-0. Alex Guerra's RBI-ground-out scored the final run of the game.

The five runs was more than enough for Butler. Asheville managed to get two hits in the fifth and seventh innings but the right-hander got out of the inning each time.

Ryan Dull (2-5) took the loss for the Bulldogs as he pitched six innings. He struck out three, allowed 10 hits and walked just one. The Asheville bullpen pitched the final three innings and didn't allow a run.

UNC Asheville and Radford will finish the Big South Conference series with a double-header on Saturday at Noon. The games will be played on UNC Asheville's campus facility at Greenwood

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Players Mentioned

Ryan Dull

Mike Vaughn

University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics