Over the past four years, the Highlanders, who have won three straight regular season titles, have posted a 59-10 mark in Big South contests and set a conference record with 21 consecutive league series triumphs. Also during that stretch, Radford has compiled a 163-68 (.706) overall record which is the best four-year winning percentage for any Big South program.

HIGHLANDERS TABBED PRESEASON FAVORITES; BEALL, JENKINS GARNER HONORS

Radford Softball was tabbed the favorite in the Big South's annual preseason poll, with senior Nichole Beall and junior Jackie Jenkins selected as the preseason player and pitcher of the year, respectively.

Beall was the 2011 Co-Player of the Year in addition to earning First-Team All-Mid Atlantic Region and all-state accolades.  The three-time first-team all-conference selection led the Conference a year ago in seven offensive categories, including doubles (17), runs (42), RBI (47), slugging (.677), on-base percentage (.466), walks (32) and total bases (114). 

Jenkins, the 2011 Big South Pitcher of the Year, held opponents to a .224 batting average and hurled a league-best six shutouts last season.  She ranked ninth in the NCAA in ERA with a school-record 1.12 mark, and was seventh in the nation in walks per seven innings (0.94).

WELCOME BACK

Radford welcomes 12 letterwinners back from last year's squad keyed by the return of Nichole Beall. The senior middle infielder, who has started every game (170) since her rookie year, posted a team-best .358 batting average and 11 home runs to go along with a league-high 17 doubles, 47 RBI and 42 runs scored. Twin sister Michelle Beall is back behind the plate for the second straight season after batting .273 with 5 doubles, 4 triples, 4 home runs and 26 RBI.  Roaming centerfield will be senior Hannah Ojeda, who is the lone starter from a season ago (.250, 6 doubles, 30 runs) and led all outfielders with 5 assists. Third baseman Vicki Madden(.213, 11 RBI) and designated player Meredith Moore (.208,  3 HR, 12 RBI) round out the returning starters. Morgan Eye, Ryndee Ruch, Jessie Hutchens, Jessica Agee and Maureen Hepner all saw time last year and look to crack the starting lineup.

In the circle, Jenkins and Stephanie Dameron are coming off strong 2011 campaigns. Jenkins, a junior, was the Big South Pitcher of the Year after posting a 15-4 record with a school-record 1.12 ERA in 118.2 innings of work. Dameron was the workhorse (40 app/152.0 IP) for the Highlanders last season despite being her rookie year. She went 16-6 with a 1.89 ERA and ranked second in the country in fewest walks per 7 innings pitched (0.64).

ROOKIES

A half-dozen newcomers don the red and white this season and with the departure of six seniors, they will be competing for several starting spots this season. Pitchers Emily Norton and Micalah Sacre will add depth to an already strong returning staff and both should see significant innings in the circle. Frankie Martinez and Mackenzie Blackwell will push for time in the outfield, while Jackie Warr and Sacre fight for spots on the left side of the infield. Julie Harriss rounds out the class as she could some time spelling Beall behind the plate.

SCOUTING THE HOKIES

Virginia Tech's bats came alive in its opening weekend of play as it went 5-0 with victories over Saint Louis, UNCG (twice), Buffalo and Jacksonville at the Opening Weekend Tournament in Jacksonville, Fla. The Hokies' offense collected 47 hits  (.351) and put up 43 runs over the five contests. Courtney Liddle and Dani Anderson batted over .500, led by Liddle's blistering .706 (12-17) average, 3 doubles, 2 home runs, 10 RBI and 1.235 slugging percentage. Anderson added a team-high 8 runs, while Kristen Froehlich hit 3 long balls and knocked in 11.

In the circle, the Hokie staff held their opponents to 22 hits and a .183 average. Bailey Liddle went 2-0 with a save in three appearances. She tossed a three-hit shutout against Buffalo and did not allow a run in 11 innings of work.

SEASON OPENERS

The Highlanders are 6-14 in season openers with all 20 played away from Radford. This marks Radford's ninth true road season opener, but the first against its neighbors Virginia Tech. The Highlanders last season-opening win was 2-0 triumph over Georgetown on Feb. 15, 2008 at the Georgia Southern Invitational.

Following Tuesday's tilt, the Highlanders will be off until Feb. 25 and 26 when they take part in the Georgia Southern Invitational. Radford will open play with No. 22 Kentucky and the host Eagles on Saturday and wrap up with Albany and Jacksonville State on Sunday.

Follow Radford Softball all season on Twitter @RadfordSoftball