Radford Softball opens the 2011 campaign on the road this weekend when it heads to Statesboro, Ga. for the Spring Hill Suites Eagle Classic hosted by Georgia Southern University. The 2011 Big South preseason favorites play two games against the host Eagles as well as Mercer on Feb. 12 and 13.

LIVE STATS

The Highlanders open and close play with the Bears at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday and 12:30 p.m. on Sunday. Radford's contests against Georgia Southern are scheduled for 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and 10:00 a.m. on Sunday. The Sunday game times have been moved up an hour from the original schedule.

Coming off their second straight Big South Championship and NCAA Regional appearance, the Highlanders return eight starters and 14 letterwinners to a squad that went 38-17 overall and 16-2 in the Big South.

The majority of Radford's offense returns and is led by Big South Preseason Player of the Year Kristen Shifflett. The senior shortstop, who was named to the 2011 USA Softball Preseason Player of the Year watch list, hit .426 with 14 doubles, 15 home runs, 42 RBI, 58 runs scored and 23 stolen bases a year ago.

Shifflett is a member of Radford's largest senior class in recent history, as a total of six will step onto the field in 2011. All six played key roles last season, with each earning at least one regular or post-season accolade.

Two-time first team all-conference pitcher Chelsea Kelley is the workhorse of the staff, having appeared in 91 of Radford's 111 contests the past two seasons. During that time, she has picked up 50 wins, struck out 253 and allowed batters to hit .250.

Host Georgia Southern boasts the Southern Conference's Preseason Player and Pitcher of the Year in seniors Megen Smith and Brianna Streetmon, respectively.

The Eagles, under third-year skipper Maggie Johnson, finished third in the league last season after posting a 30-26 overall and 14-9 league record.

Streetmon, the two-time Southern Conference Pitcher of the Year, tallied 19 wins with a 1.97 ERA and 169 strikeouts in 2010. Smith batted .322 with 18 long balls and 47 RBI.

Mercer is under the direction of head coach Mike Raynor and was supposed to open its season at home on Thursday. Its doubleheader against Alcorn State was canceled due to weather.

Last season, the Bears went 25-30 and 7-13 in the Atlantic-Sun Conference. Anna Johnson returns as their top hitter, batting .301 with 20 runs scored and team-best 20 stolen bases. In the circle, Jenni Holtz went 17-17 with a 2.05 ERA, 332 strikeouts and eight shutouts.

After this weekend, the Highlanders welcome local rival Virginia Tech for their home opener on Wednesday, Feb. 23. First pitch for the single game at RU Softball Field is set for 4 p.m.