East Tennessee State University’s softball team lost to Lafayette College 5-4 in nine innings during the opening game of the 2026 Radford Invitational on March 13 at the Radford Softball Complex.
The close contest saw both teams trading runs late into extra innings, with Lafayette ultimately scoring the decisive run in the top of the ninth. The Buccaneers, now holding an 11-7 record, were unable to answer in their final at-bat.
After four scoreless innings, Lafayette took a two-run lead before East Tennessee State rallied in the bottom of the sixth. Boone singled and was followed by a walk from Suchy; both advanced on a passed ball. Boone scored on a fielder’s choice from Brandon, and Porter hit her first career RBI double to tie the game. The teams continued to exchange runs through extra innings. In the seventh, Rieger reached base with a single and was driven home by Taylor after an error by Lafayette. In the eighth, Boone—placed as runner on second—scored after advancing on a single from Suchy and coming home on Brandon’s sacrifice fly.
Despite strong defensive plays—including three consecutive putouts in center field during the second inning and Taylor recording her fifteenth stolen base of the season—the Buccaneers could not overcome Lafayette’s final run. Porter drove in a career-high two RBIs, while Boone crossed home plate twice for East Tennessee State.
The Buccaneers finished with four runs on five hits over thirty at-bats, drawing four walks and striking out only once across nine innings.
East Tennessee State is scheduled to continue play at the Radford Invitational with games against Radford and another matchup versus Lafayette on Saturday, March 14.
