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Nate Roberts went 5-6 with four runs scored and four RBI and was one of five Panthers to hit a home run Sunday but Radford scored three runs in the ninth inning to rally past the High Point University baseball team 18-17.

Junior Mikel Rodenberg took the loss, falling to 1-2 on the season and Jason Patten picked up the win for Radford, improving to 3-2 on the season.

High Point led 17-15 entering the ninth inning with Rodenberg on the mound. With one out in the inning Reggie Keen hit a two-run homer to left field to tie the game at 17-17. Alex Guerra capped off a 4-4 day with an RBI double to right field to bring home the winning run.

HPU had a chance to win the game in the ninth, loading the bases with two outs thanks to two Highlander errors. Roberts came to the plate, having already gone 5-5 in the game but was caught looking at strike three to end the game.

“You have to give credit to Radford,” said assistant coach Bryan Peters. “They are a reflection of their head coach and they kept fighting all weekend. In the end, the just outslugged us. It is a disappointing loss because the bullpen did so well for us yesterday and couldn't get it done today. Nate had a huge game for us. He is a special player who doesn't have to carry this team on his shoulders all the time even if most of the time he does.”

Roberts hit his 13th home run of the season in the first inning, bringing home Mike Mercurio who had doubled to left center. It put HPU up 3-1 following a leadoff homer by Pablo Rosario. Roberts added four singles in the game with a walk and a stolen base.

“It was just one of those games where both teams are scoring runs,” Roberts said. “They got the last hit when they needed it and Patten made a good pitch to me. He hit that corner.”

Freshman Jared Avidon got the start for HPU, pitching five innings, allowing eight runs, five earned with two strikeouts. He was in line for the win when he left the game.

Kyle Mahoney, Murray White IV and Matt Gantner all hit home runs in the game and Gantner picked up his 20th double of the season. He needs one more to tie the doubles in a season record of 21 at HPU set by Gerald Culler in 1979.

High Point falls to 18-20 on the season (5-10 Big South Conference). The Panthers will host North Carolina A&T Tuesday at 6 p.m.