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Box Score (PDF)

RADFORD, Va. -- Junior left-handed starting pitcher Joe Rock (Aliquippa, Pa.) struck out a career-high 12 over five innings, but the Ohio baseball team (0-1) fell to host Radford (1-0), 7-3, in the 2021 season opener on Friday (February 19) at Sherman Carter Memorial Stadium.

Rock struck out double-digit batters for the first time in his collegiate career but was saddled with the loss, giving up three runs -- two of which were earned --  on four hits and three walks.

The Highlanders plated three runs on two hits and an Ohio error in the bottom of the second inning to break a scoreless tie. Senior designated hitter Will Harless led off the frame with a double and later scored game's first run on a wild pitch. Senior centerfielder Garrett Matheny then delivered a two-out, two-RBI single to left to increase Radford's early advantage to three runs.

The Bobcats pushed across their first run of the new season in the top of the sixth to make it a two-run affair. Junior catcher Mason Minzey (Grand Blanc, Mich.) beat out a one-out single to third and scored one out later on a base hit to center by redshirt senior right fielder Devonte Washington (Twinsburg, Ohio).

Radford retaliated quickly, however, tacking on three more runs in the home half of the sixth, with the bulk of the damage coming on a one-out RBI triple to right center by freshman second baseman Jalen Buster and a two-out RBI double to right center by Matheny.

Ohio made it a three-run game again in the top of the eighth. Senior designated hitter Tanner Piechnick (Canonsburg, Pa.) hit a one-out double to right, senior first baseman Aaron Levy (Cincinnati, Ohio) coaxed a two-out walk and both scored on a single to center by redshirt senior shortstop Joe Weisenseel (Strongsville, Ohio).

The Highlanders added an insurance run in the bottom of the frame, though, and redshirt junior right-handed pitcher Alex Perkins struck out two in a perfect ninth inning of relief to lock up the victory for Radford.

Levy, Weisenseel and senior center fielder Isaiah Peterson (Lincoln, Neb.) each posted two-hit afternoons to account for six of Ohio's nine hits. Matheny led Radford at the plate with a 2-for-5 effort that included a double and three RBIs.

Graduate student right-handed starting pitcher Greg Duncan was credited with the victory for the Highlanders, striking out five over 5.1 frames while permitting one unearned run on five hits and four walks.

Ohio and Radford will face off again on Saturday (February 20) in game two of the three-game weekend set in Virginia. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.

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