RADFORD, Va. -- Radford begins its 19th season of softball this weekend when it participates in the prestigious NFCA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Ga.

Game Notes

Making their first appearance in the tournament, the Highlanders will play five games which include a pair against nationally ranked teams in #18/20 and 2008 Women's College World Series (WCWS) participant Louisiana-Lafayette and #4/6 Missouri, a 2009 WCWS participant.

Those matchups will sandwich contests against four-time defending MAC champion Kent State, 2009 NCAA Regional participant Illinois and Illinois State.

The Highlanders kick things off on Friday, Feb. 26 taking on the Rajin' Cajuns at 1:30 p.m., followed by a contest against the Golden Flashes at 4 p.m.

Of the five teams in the tournament, Radford will be playing Louisiana-Lafayette, Kent State and Missouri for the first time.

The 2010 Big South preseason favorites return seven starters and a pair of pitchers from a squad that went 41-15 and won its first BIg South Championship. In their first appearance at the NCAA Regionals, the Highlanders went 1-2 earning a 9-5 victory over Campbell, the first NCAA Tournament team win for any Radford athletic program.

Radford returns a lot of punch from its potent 2009 offense that ranked nationally in the top 21 in 10 different categories. The offense is paced by preseason Big South Player of the Year Kristen Shifflett (Charlottesville, Va./Monticello). Last season, the junior shortstop launced a school record and league-best 16 home runs to go along with a .381 batting average, 14 doubles, 53 runs and 41 RBI.

In the circle, junior Chelsea Kelley (Roanoke, Va./Cave Spring) returns after a stellar sophomore campaign. The 2010 Big South's preseason Pitcher of the Year, was 25-8 with a 2.55 ERA and 101 strikeouts, posting the most wins in the conference.

The Highlanders