PREVIEW: Radford at Charleston Southern

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (Interstat) — The Radford Highlanders and Charleston Southern Buccaneers resume their Big South series Friday afternoon at Buccaneer Ballpark, with first pitch scheduled under cloudy skies and 83-degree temperatures.

Radford (24-23) enters after a 4-3, 10-inning victory Thursday over the Buccaneers. The Highlanders are looking to build momentum after splitting their last six games, including a series win over UNC Asheville last weekend. Charleston Southern (28-20) dropped Thursday’s opener but had won six of its previous seven contests, including a three-game sweep at Longwood.

Right-hander Raymond Ladd has been a key arm for Radford. In his most recent outing Thursday, he tossed five scoreless innings, allowing no hits and one earned run while striking out five. Over his last four appearances — three of them starts — Ladd has a 2.12 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 17 innings. He did not factor into the decision Thursday but held the Buccaneers in check.

For Charleston Southern, right-hander Titus von Kapff has been dominant in recent weeks despite Thursday’s loss. He worked six innings, allowing five hits and two earned runs with three strikeouts. Von Kapff has posted a 1.86 ERA over his last three starts, striking out 11 in 19 2/3 innings. However, he was roughed up in an April 18 start against High Point, surrendering 13 hits and 11 earned runs in five innings.

Thursday’s game featured strong performances beyond the starting pitchers. Radford designated hitter Devin Parks went 3 for 4 with a home run and three RBIs, while reliever Trey Ludy tossed 2 2/3 hitless innings. For Charleston Southern, relievers Drew Dawson and Hayden Henry each threw two innings, combining for six strikeouts.

The Interstat game simulator projects a 7-5 Charleston Southern victory, with the Buccaneers holding a 63.2 percent win probability per the Interstat ELO system.

The series continues Saturday afternoon at Buccaneer Ballpark, with Radford looking to take a 2-0 series lead and Charleston Southern aiming to even the set.