Smith goes 5-for-7 with two HR and five RBI in doubleheader split vs. Radford

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (April 1, 2015) - ETSU split a non-conference doubleheader versus Radford on Wednesday, earning a 5-3 victory in the day's opening game before succombing to a Radford rally in Game Two and falling, 7-6.

ETSU and Radford also split a pair of games during ETSU's Holiday Inn Invitational in early March.

Radford jumped out to an early 3-0 advantage in Game One of Wednesday's twin bill, with Kayla Bishton and Mackenzie Blackwell each hitting solo home runs in the second inning.

The Buccaneers (12-19) then responded with two homers of their own—a three-run blast by Cassi Pickett (Chattanooga, Tenn.) in the third, and a solo shot by Kelsey Smith (Tucson, Ariz.) in the fourth—to take a 4-3 lead.

VIDEO: Pickett home run

VIDEO: Smith home run

Taylor Carter (Brazil, Ind.) added an insurance run in the sixth inning for the Bucs (12-19), driving a single to centerfield to score Jenine Duncan (Jonesborough, Tenn.) and extend ETSU's lead to 5-3.

Carter earned the win in the pitcher's circle by allowing just one earned run in six-and-two-thirds innings of work. Her six strikeouts matched a career-high.

In Game Two, the Bucs were within two outs of earning the doubleheader sweep and season series victory before the Highlanders (9-18) mounted a miraculous comeback in their final frame.

Home runs by Smith and Alex Everett (Soddy Daisy, Tenn.) gave the Bucs' a 4-0 advantage heading into the final inning.

ETSU starter Madison Ogle (Maryville, Tenn.) carried a five-hit shutout into the seventh and retired Radford's leadoff batter, leaving the Highlanders with only a pair of outs to deal with a four-run deficit.

With two outs and Radford runners on second and third, the Highlanders' Becky Mantel spoiled Ogle's shutout bid, belting a three-run homer to left field to cut Radford's deficit to 4-3.

Three consecutive Radford hits then plated two runs, giving the Highlanders a 5-4 advantage and forcing Ogle from the game.

On reliever Rebecca Wahrmund's (Morrilton, Ark.) second pitch of the game, Radford's Whitney Davis drove a two-run home run to left field, extending the Highlanders' lead to 7-4.

Duncan led off ETSU's half of the seventh with a single to left field before being retired at second base on a Nicole Fox (Peachtree City, Ga.) fielder's choice.

Fox advanced to second on a passed ball before Everett drew a walk to put runners on first and second for the Bucs with one out.

Pickett then drew a walk on five pitches to load the bases and force Radford reliever Taylor Brown from the game.

Facing Radford's Kelsey Weddle, who started Game One of Wednesday's doubleheader for the Highlanders, Smith drove a single through the left side to score Fox, cutting the Bucs' deficit to 7-5.

Casey Horner (Whitesburg, Tenn.) then hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield to score Brooke Baxter (Jasper, Tenn.), who pinch ran for Everett.

Down by just one run, Weddle led Carter to fly out to center field to end the game and seal the doubleheader and season series split.

ETSU will resume Southern Conference competition this weekend as the Bucs visit Samford for a three-game series in Birmingham, Ala.

The Bucs' next home contest will be Tuesday, April 14 versus No. 11 Tennessee at 6:00 p.m.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

Friday, April 3

4:00 p.m. at Samford* | LIVE STATS | VIDEO

6:00 p.m. at Samford* | LIVE STATS | VIDEO

Saturday, April 4

2:00 p.m. at Samford* | LIVE STATS | VIDEO

*Southern Conference game - All times EST

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