Game 1 Box
Game 2 Box

RADFORD, Va. – Radford scored eight unanswered runs in game one and came from behind in game two to earn a sweep over Liberty in the home and Big South opener Thursday afternoon from RU Softball Field.

The Highlanders (9-8, 2-0 Big South) won by the scores of 8-2 and 7-6 and have won eight of their last 11 contests. The Lady Flames dropped to 12-8 overall and 0-2 in the league.

After falling behind 2-0 in the top of the first, Radford scored eight unanswered runs to take game one, 8-2.

Kristen Shifflett and Michelle Beall each homered and went 2-for-3. Shifflett knocked in two and scored a pair of runs as well. Sarah Himan also recorded a pair of hits.

Kelly Strickland put the Lady Flames on top 2-0 in the top of the first launching an opposite field two-run blast to rightfield.

The Highlanders tied the game with single runs in the first and second innings. Shannon Keefe dropped in a single that plated Shifflett from second and Beall's solo shot off the scoreboard knotted the game at 2-2.

In the third, the Highlander broke the deadlock with three runs on four hits, highlighted by a Hope Creasy two-run single.

Shifflett made it a 6-2 ball game with her second home run of the season in the fourth.

Radford added two insurance runs in the sixth on a sac fly by Himan and dropped throw at home on an attempted tag on a fly ball to left.

Following the first inning, Radford starter Chelsea Kelley settled down as she kept the Lady Flames off the scoreboard the rest of the contest. In the complete game victory, Kelley scattered six hits, struck out three and walked two, improving to 6-3.

Strickland went 2-for-3 for the Lady Flames, who finished the contest with six hits.

Katie Warrington suffered the defeat for Liberty. She surrendered six runs on nine hits, striking out four and walking none in 3.2 innings of work. Tiffani Smith tossed the final 2.2 innings, allowing two run, one earned on two hits. She struck out three and walked one.

Radford rallied from two deficits in game two and held on for a 7-6 victory. Trailing 6-5, the Highlanders scored two runs in the fifth and survived a bases loaded jam in the seventh.

In a back-and-forth contest, both team registered 11 hits with four players from each team recording two base knocks.

Shifflett, Himan, Keefe and Lauren Williams each had two hits for the Highlanders. Keefe finished with a double and three RBI, while Himan roped a pair of two-baggers.

For the Lady Flames, J'nae Jefferson, Jenny Law, Bensinger and Cassie Hendrix all had two hits. Hendrix produced a double and home run with three RBI and Bensinger knocked in pair.

The Highlanders jumped on top 2-0 with solo home runs by Nichole Beall and Creasy in the first and second inning, respectively. The Highlanders had a chance for more in the second, but left the bases full.

The Lady Flames responded with a three-run third. Hendrix tied the game with a two-run shot to dead center. With two outs and a runner on second, Bensinger ripped a RBI single to left center.

Radford once again put runners in scoring position, this time second and third with no outs, but a pop up and a pair of strikeouts by Liberty's Smith ended the threat.

Following a single run by Liberty in the top of the fourth to extend its lead to 4-2, Radford retook the lead in the bottom half of the fram. With the bases juiced, Keefe laced a two-out bases clearing double just inside the leftfield line putting the Highlanders back on top, 5-4.

Liberty didn't waste any time in the top of the fifth putting together three hits to retake the lead, 6-5. An RBI double by Bensinger down the leftfield line tied the game and a sacrifice fly to left by Strickland gave the Lady Flames.

Radford responded with two outs in the bottom half of the inning, retaking the lead, 7-6.

Williams tied the game with a two-out single over the drawn-in infield, plating Michelle Beall, who doubled with one out. Shifflett followed with a single to center and Williams scored when the throw to third scooted into foul territory.

After a 1-2-3 sixth for both teams, the Lady Flames threatened in the seventh, putting runners on second and third with no outs. However, Kelley bore down and induced a foul out to third. After intentionally walking Strickland, Kelley struck out Amber DePasquale and got Keely McMillon to ground out to third ending the threat.

Kelley who came in relief of the starter Kellie Snooks in the fifth, picked up her second win of the day. She allowed two runs on five hits with four strikeouts in 3.0 innings. Snooks went the first four frames, allowing four runs, three earned on six hits with two punchouts.

Warrington suffered the defeat for the second straight contest, allowing five runs, four earned in two innings of relief. She gave up five hits with two strikeouts and a walk.

Radford returns to action this weekend hosting the fourth annual Highlander Classic presented by Comfort Inn and Suites. There will be four games each day starting at 10 a.m. On Saturday, the Highlanders will take on Albany at 2 p.m. and Siena and 4 p.m, followed by Kent State on Sunday at 12 p.m.