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Senior Jamie Serber allowed four runs through 6-2/3 innings and Nate Roberts hit his 12th home run of the season but Radford scored five runs on the eighth inning and handed HPU a 9-4 loss Friday at Williard Stadium.

“Jamie gave us what we needed,” said head coach Craig Cozart. “He pitched in to the seventh inning and put us in position to win but we don't have the confidence at the plate to get things done. Our bullpen didn't execute with two strike counts and Radford beat us, plain and simple.”

Roberts gave HPU the lead with a three-run homer in the sixth inning. He took the 2-2 pitch from Radford starter Aerik Taylor in to the heckle deck in right center for his 12th home run of the season. Roberts' home run scored Murray White IV and Pablo Rosario to put HPU ahead 4-3.

Serber went 6-2/3 innings allowing four runs on 10 hits. He didn't walk a batter and recorded six strikeouts, one short of his career high of seven strikeouts from his start against Fairleigh Dickinson on Feb. 26. Serber ran in to trouble in the fourth inning, loading the bases with two outs. He got Ty Rivers to swing at strike three to end the inning without a run scoring.

In the seventh inning Serber quickly got the first two outs before Reggie Keen doubled to left center and Corey Swickle replaced Serber on the mound. Serber walked the first batter he faced and Raphael Turner singled to right field to score Keen and tie the game at 4-4.

Radford put up a five-run eighth inning off three HPU relievers to win the game. Swickle got hit for two runs and Drew Dades gave up three in his fourth appearance of the year.

“I didn't have my best stuff tonight,” Serber said. “But I fought and came up with the strikeout when the bases were loaded in the fourth. We need to find that swagger we had in the beginning of the season. We need people to step up and get hits and outs when we need them. We still have fight in us.”

Swickle was charged with the loss, his first of the year, falling to 4-1 this season. Taylor picked up the win for Radford, improving to 3-1.

Senior Matt Gantner picked up an RBI double in the first inning. He and Max Fulginiti are now tied with 19 for the season and need three more to set the single season doubles record of 21 held by Gerald Culler.

HPU (17-19, 4-9 Big South) and Radford (16-16, 5-5 Big South) will play the second game of the weekend series Saturday at 6 p.m.