The ETSU softball team took on their final non-conference opponent of the 2022-23 season on Tuesday when the Radford Highlanders came to town for a doubleheader at Betty Basler Field.
Hoping to capitalize on a six-game slide for Radford, the Bucs (12-30) entered the day looking to build some momentum as the season winds down before the SoCon tournament next month.
It was Radford that would strike first at the top of the second inning, but the Bucs would answer with a score of their own later that inning before adding another run in the third to go up 2-1.
Radford evened up the score in the fifth inning following a Kari Shedrick home run to make it 2-2.
As the ninth inning approached, both teams were still locked even until a Radford RBI gave the Highlanders a one-point advantage and put the Bucs in a must-score situation in the bottom of the ninth.
It was Emily Musco (Knoxville, Tenn.) that tied the game up on an RBI that sent Cameron Young (Knoxville, Tenn.) to third base before a fielding error allowed the game-tying score.
Stepping to the plate with two outs and the game tied 3-3 was freshman Makenzie Henderson (Knoxville, Tenn.), who has struggled at the plate this season, batting with an average of .196. Henderson’s woes washed away as she met the occasion with a walk-off RBI that brought Riley Nayadley (Ooltewah, Tenn.) in for the game winning score.
Radford started strong in game two of the doubleheader, taking a 2-0 lead in the third inning following an RBI double play.
After an eventless fourth and fifth inning, the Bucs would finally put themselves on the scoreboard when pitcher Sara Muir (Sequatchie, Tenn.) would homer to left center, bringing them within one point entering the seventh. Sadly, Radford would maintain their 2-1 lead to close out the contest and capture game two, closing the series and splitting with the Bucs 1-1.
The Bucs will now shift focus to their next series in a road trip to Cullowhee, North Carolina, to take on SoCon rival Western Carolina. The three-game series kicks off on April 29 at noon.
For more information about ETSU softball, visit ETSUBucs.com/softball.
