LEXINGTON, Va. - Two home runs from first baseman Mark Fleisher (2,3) and a grand slam from second baseman Alan Ashworth (1) was more than enough for Radford University (11-14, 5-2 Big South) Friday afternoon as they defeated VMI 15-4 in a Big South Conference affair at Patchin Field.

The game was actually a pitchers duel early on as neither team's starters allowed a hit through the first three innings.

The Highlanders, however, broke things wide open in the fourth inning when they scored four runs on four hits, which included a three-run homer from Fleisher.

After scoring two more in the fifth, Ashworth connected on a grand slam in the sixth inning that increased the Highlander's lead to 11-0.

Fleisher's second home run of the game, a solo shot in the seventh inning, put VMI (18-12, 0-4 Big South) behind 12-0.

VMI first baseman Jon Wade (Marietta, Ga. / Harrison) drove in one run with a sacrifice fly in the seventh inning, and left fielder Zach Kennedy (Richmond, Va. / Douglas Freeman) drove in two runs with a single in the eighth.

Radford starter Justin Tubb (2-2) allowed just one run on four hits in seven innings of work to earn the win.

Richard Litwin (Virginia Beach, Va. / Ocean Lakes) (3-2) was touched up for six runs in five innings, as he took the VMI loss.

Game two of the three game series between VMI and Radford is Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

RHP Duke Acors (2-5, 7.15 ERA) will take the hill for the Keydets.


-VMI-