BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Radford softball returns to action this weekend as it heads to Birmingham, Ala. for the Magic City Classic hosted by Alabama-Birmingham. The Highlanders will play four games over the next three days, facing UAB, Samford, Lipscomb and Saint Louis.

With the increased number of teams, games will be split between UAB's and Samford's home fields.

Radford (2-3) opens up at the Blazers (5-6), a 2010 NCAA Regional participant, Friday night at 8 p.m.

On Saturday, the Highlanders will head to Bulldog Softball Field to face defending Atlantic-Sun champion and NCAA Regional finalist Lipscomb (3-6) at 4 p.m. and Atlantic 10 member Saint Louis (6-4) at 9 p.m. They wrap up play against the Bulldogs (2-8) on Sunday at 3 p.m.

The Highlanders look to snap an early season two-game skid after dropping their home opener on Wednesday to local rival Virginia Tech, 2-0.

The pitching has been strong over the first five games, as opponents have hit just .178 and is led by freshman Stephanie Dameron. The righty posts a 0.00 ERA, allowing just an unearned run on three hits and limiting opponents to a .078 batting average in the first 14 innings of her collegiate career.

The offense, batting just .244, looks to regroup after being two-hit by the Hokies on Wednesday. Senior Taylor Cunningham leads the Highlanders with a .429 (6-14) average, two doubles, two runs and two RBI.


MAGIC CITY CLASSIC SCHEDULE

Feb. 25: Radford at UAB, 8 p.m. Live Stats
Feb. 26: Radford vs. Lipscomb (at Samford), 4 p.m.
Feb. 26: Radford vs. Saint Louis (at Samford), 9 p.m.
Feb. 27: Radford at Samford, 3 p.m.