NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (Interstat) — Radford defeated Charleston Southern 12-6 on Friday afternoon at Buccaneer Ballpark in a Big South slugfest.

The Highlanders scored first on a passed ball in the second inning, then added five runs in the fourth behind Eli Hudgins’ two-run double and Breckin Nace’s sacrifice fly. Charleston Southern answered with two in the bottom half, but Radford broke the game open with six unearned runs in the seventh, highlighted by Nace’s two-run triple and Junho Son’s two-run single. The Buccaneers hit three solo home runs from Ethan Reader, Blake Edgmon and Garrison Barile, but could not overcome the deficit.

Andrew Steinhaus earned the win, pitching 3 1/3 hitless innings with one earned run and two strikeouts. Matthew Lefevers tossed four hitless innings. For Charleston Southern, Hunter Porter and Corbin Payne each threw scoreless relief.

Radford improved to 25-23, while Charleston Southern fell to 28-21. The teams conclude the series Saturday.