FAIRLAWN, Va. (Interstat) — A pair of sixth-inning triples broke a prolonged scoreless duel and propelled the Radford Highlanders to a 2-0 victory over the Iona Gaels in the season opener for both teams Friday at Radford Baseball Stadium.

The game, a tightly contested pitchers’ battle for five and a half innings, turned on a critical Iona error. Radford managed just two hits but capitalized on the mistake to secure the win. Iona out-hit the Highlanders 3-2 but failed to advance a runner past second base.

The stalemate was shattered in the bottom of the sixth. Radford catcher Tyler Sparrer reached first on an error by the Iona shortstop. After a strikeout and a fielder’s choice that erased Sparrer, designated hitter Mason Self drove a triple to center field, allowing Devin Parks to score the game’s first run.

Radford added an insurance run in the seventh. Third baseman Noah Toole led off with a triple and later scored on a groundout by Hunter Keen.

Iona starter Andrelys Payamps was sharp in a no-decision, pitching four scoreless innings and allowing just one hit while navigating around five walks. The Gaels’ bullpen kept the game close, but the offense could not solve a parade of Radford pitchers.

Radford’s Mason Self, who started as the designated hitter before moving to the mound in the third inning, earned the win. He worked two hitless innings in relief, striking out two. Daniel Quintana provided three scoreless innings of middle relief, and Joshua Milleville pitched a perfect ninth inning to secure the save.

The most important sequence of the game unfolded in the bottom of the sixth inning. With two outs and a runner on first via an error, Mason Self’s RBI triple finally broke through against Iona reliever Davis. The hit not only drove in the first run of the season but also shifted all momentum decisively to the home side. The Highlanders’ ability to capitalize on Iona’s lone defensive miscue proved to be the difference in an otherwise evenly matched contest.

Iona’s best early chance came in the first inning when Jayson Acevedo singled and stole second with one out, but he was stranded. The Gaels also hit into a double play in the fifth to erase another single.

With the loss, Iona begins its season 0-1. Radford starts 1-0. The teams are scheduled for a doubleheader on Saturday to continue the series.

Iona’s next 10 games include the doubleheader at Radford, a three-game series at Hofstra beginning Feb. 20, and a three-game home set against NJIT starting Feb. 27. Radford’s upcoming schedule features the Saturday twin bill with Iona, a midweek game at Queens (N.C.) on Feb. 17, and a three-game home series against Bucknell beginning Feb. 20.

According to Interstat’s ELO system, Radford entered the game with a 72.60 percent probability to win.