By James Gravley
The Radford University baseball team is back at it after a long recovery from Hurricane Helene which saw Carter Memorial Stadium under water due to the devastating flooding that impacted many in Appalachia.
On the Big South Conference baseball preview, Head coach Alex Guerra stated that it was “quite the scene that happened earlier this fall.” Guerra also stated that “everything is on track, fields in a good spot” ahead of the Highlanders opening series against Akron on Friday.
Guerra gave credit to the Pulaski River Turtles, an MLB Draft League team in the Appalachian League, and the Salem Red Sox, the Single-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, for allowing the Highlanders to use their facilities.
However, prior to Helene even coming through the region, Guerra found himself, along with two Radford University students, in a position to save a life.
According to local news station WSLS, Guerra was out walking and heard screaming coming from the New River.
“We were just on a walk and we were just coming right around the bend there and we just heard someone screaming,” said Guerra. “Sprinted down here and I was kind of monitoring Nick, and I couldn’t see Cody [the Radford Student] at all at that point.”
Guerra knew at that point he had to do something. Guerra told the news outlet in a video interview at the site of the incident that he “just kind of creeped down, and just jumped in. I sprinted in and grabbed him and we brought him back in.”
Guerra was tabbed a local hero for his actions on that September day.
Now, as the season is within reach, Guerra's Highlanders look to build off of a 16-34 record in which Radford finished 7-16 in the Big South. There was a couple bright spots for the Highlanders last season in which they went 12-13 at home and only lost 17 of their games by three runs or less. I highly doubt Guerra was thinking about karma during his life-saving actions, but perhaps the baseball gods will grant his squad some better bounces in 2025.
Radford has the roster to compete in the Big South which is highlighted by shortstop Hunter Keen.
Keen started in 49 games for the Highlanders last season where he produced 50 hits with six home runs and 32 RBI. He finished the season with a .250 batting average.
On the mound, Radford will be backed heavily by Drew Stanley.
Stanley worked 38.1 innings for the club last season and had a 52/23 K/BB ratio. He went 1-2 with a 3.52 ERA on the season. Guerra stated in the Big South Conference preview that Stanley would be one of the five main guys in the rotation this season.
Radford will host Akron for a three game series from Feb. 14-16 before heading north a couple of hours to face James Madison on Feb. 18 with first pitch scheduled at 3:00 pm.
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