FAIRLAWN, Va. (Interstat) — Noah Toole delivered a pair of crucial run-scoring hits and a parade of Radford relievers stifled East Tennessee State’s offense over the final six innings as the Highlanders edged the Buccaneers 4-3 in nonconference baseball Tuesday night at Radford Baseball Stadium.

The Highlanders, who improved to 15-14, overcame an early deficit and a heavily favored opponent, defeating an East Tennessee State team that entered with a 21-8 record and was projected by Interstat’s metrics to have a 75.20 percent probability to win.

Radford’s victory was built on persistent offense, amassing 13 hits, and a collective bullpen effort that limited the Buccaneers to just one run over the final six frames after they had taken a 3-1 lead.

East Tennessee State struck first without a hit in the opening inning, capitalizing on a walk, a hit batter and a Radford error to plate three unearned runs off starter Ben Keefe. The Buccaneers added two more in the third on a sacrifice fly by Nick Conner and an RBI groundout from Tommy Curless, extending their lead to 3-0.

The Highlanders began their methodical comeback in the bottom of the first. After loading the bases with no outs, they managed only one run on an RBI single by Brayden Nace, who later stole second. Logan Grass, who relieved Buccaneers starter Dawson McCarley in the second, was immediately greeted by Toole, who launched a solo home run to right field to cut the deficit to 3-2.

Radford tied the game in the fourth off reliever Andrew Cotten. Brady Whitacre singled and scored on a double by Brayden Simpson, knotting the score at 3-3.

The decisive rally came in the fifth. With Cotten still on the mound, Nace was hit by a pitch, stole second and scored when Toole lined a two-out single to center, giving Radford its first lead at 4-3. Toole finished 2 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs.

From there, the Highlanders’ bullpen took command. After Keefe allowed three runs, only one earned, over three innings, Eli Baker, Will Palmer, Mason Self, Jeffrey Meade and Hunter Howard combined for six scoreless innings. They scattered four hits, struck out four and navigated around three Buccaneers errors. Self earned the win and Howard picked up the save with a perfect ninth inning.

East Tennessee State, which fell to 21-9, threatened in the eighth. Hunter Ferguson doubled and later scored on an RBI single by Tanner Fetterman to pull within 4-3. A runner reached third later in the inning, but Meade induced an inning-ending groundout to preserve the lead.

The Buccaneers’ best relief performance came from Stratton Scott, who entered with two on and one out in the sixth. He stranded both runners and proceeded to pitch 2 2/3 perfect innings, striking out two, to keep the game within reach.

East Tennessee State managed just seven hits in the game. Radford’s Whitacre led all hitters, going 4 for 4 with three runs scored.

East Tennessee State travels to face Belmont for a three-game series starting Friday. Radford opens a Big South Conference series at High Point on Friday.