HIGH POINT, N.C. – The High Point University baseball team defeated Radford University 4-1 on Sunday afternoon to clinch the series on ESPN 2.
Site: Williard Stadium
Score: High Point 4, Radford 1
Records: High Point (24-11, 9-3), Radford (16-16, 5-7)
Head Coach Joey Hammond: "An incredible job on the mound by Aidan [Paul], he did such a great job. He ran into a little bit of trouble in the second inning, ended up making a big pitch and getting out of that. All of a sudden he started to cruise for the next four innings. We played good defense behind him, and that was impressive. Noah [Zimmerman] did exactly what he's been doing for us. It was nice to see how sharp Dylan [Story] was and how good his stuff has been. I thought it was as dominant a performance on the mound as we've had all year. We also had a couple two-out RBI early on as Lane [Allen] and Christian [Smith] had one. Willie [Ponce] got us started right off the rip with a couple doubles in the first inning as well. I'm really proud of the way our guys handled a big environment, a big game that is nationally televised. I felt like we were composed, and had the appropriate amount of energy. The nerves weren't there and I feel that is a testament to playing at places like Florida and Wake Forest earlier on. These are the types of things that we're trying to build for. Really proud of our guys all together and now it's a matter of putting a bow on this week and getting ready to head into four games on the road next week."
High Point took an early lead in the top of the first on an RBI ground out by
Landen Johnson, scoring
Willie Ponce from third. The Highlanders answered in the second, tying the game at one on two hits, including an RBI triple.
The Panthers added two runs in the fourth on three hits to take a 3-1 lead.
Seojun Oh delivered an RBI single to the gap, and
Christian Smith followed with a double to score Oh from second.
With two runners on in the fifth,
Lane Allen extended the lead to 4-1with an opposite-field single, bringing home Ponce from second.
The Panthers held on for the 4-1 win over Radford to clinch the series victory on Sunday afternoon in High Point.
High Point's pitching staff was electric.
Aidan Paul earned the win, tossing six innings while allowing three hits and one run, striking out four.
Noah Zimmerman followed with two scoreless innings and two strikeouts.
Dylan Story shut the door in the ninth with two strikeouts to secure his sixth save of the year and a 4-1 win for HPU.
Up Next: High Point will return to Truist Point for another matchup with NC A&T at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14.
#GoHPU
