RADFORD, Va. -- Radford softball begins the home portion of its 2010 schedule when the Highlanders host Liberty on Thursday, March 18 from RU Softball Field. First pitch of the twinbill is set for 3 p.m.

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Along with it being the home opener for Radford, it is the Big South's first series of the season, pitting these league and Commonwealth rivals in a rematch of last season's championship contest.

The Highlanders step onto their home turf for the first time since winning the 2009 Big South Championship with a 10-1 victory in the if necessary game over the Lady Flames on May 9, 2009. Liberty is just one of two league teams to pick up a victory against Radford on it home field, forcing the if necessary contest with a 5-3 triumph.

After opening the season 1-5, which included a tough field at the NFCA Leadoff Classic, the Highlanders have won six of their last nine and are coming off an exciting 6-4 come-from-behind victory against Indiana on Sunday.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Highlanders trailed the Hoosiers, 4-1 with two outs and nobody on before exploding for five unanswered runs and earning the 6-4 victory.

Liberty sits atop the league with a 12-6 overall mark after sweeping a doubleheader at ETSU yesterday by the scores of 6-3 and 6-4. Like the Highlanders, the Lady Flames have yet to play a home game. They have posted a 4-3 record in true road contests and 8-3 in neutral site games.

Be sure to check out this week's edition of Softball Spotlight featuring juniors Chelsea Kelley and Lauren Williams.