FAIRLAWN, Va. (Interstat) — Radford opened its season with a 2-0 victory over Iona on Friday afternoon at Radford Baseball Stadium, capitalizing on two late-inning opportunities in a game dominated by pitching.

The Highlanders managed just two hits but scored an unearned run in the sixth inning when Devin Parks crossed the plate on Mason Self’s RBI triple. Radford added an insurance run in the seventh as Noah Toole scored on Hunter Keen’s groundout.

Iona’s Andrelys Payamps was strong on the mound but took the loss. The Gaels out-hit Radford 3-2 but failed to score, stranding multiple runners. Radford’s pitching staff, using multiple arms including Self and Joshua Milleville, combined for the shutout.

Radford begins the year 1-0, while Iona starts 0-1. The teams continue their series with a doubleheader Saturday.