Game Notes
RADFORD, Va. -- After and 11-day layoff, Radford Softball returns to action when it takes part in the Eagle Classic hosted by Georgia Southern on Feb. 25 and 26. The Highlanders (0-1) open play on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. against Kentucky, followed by a contest against the host Eagles at 5:30 p.m. They will conclude on Sunday versus Albany at 9:30 a.m. and Jacksonville State at 11:30 am.
Kentucky Live Stats |
Live Stats
Radford enters the tournament having dropped its only game of the season at Virginia Tech, 9-1, on Feb. 14. Senior
Nichole Beall launched her 40
th career home run in the defeat, which moved her within one spot of the career mark held by
Kristen Shifflett. Senior
Vicki Madden recorded the Highlanders' only other hit, a double in the fifth.
The Highlanders first opponent Kentucky (4-5) is coming off a 3-2 weekend at the Florida Atlantic Kickoff Classic. The Wildcats, who recently dropped out of the top-25, earned victories over host FAU, Wright State and LIU Brooklyn. They are led at the plate by Kara Dill's .321 average and perfect 7-for-7 on the base paths. Four pitchers have seen action in the circle with Chanda Bell sporting a 0.60 ERA in 11.2 innings, while Rachel Riley and Ellen Weaver have charted 19.2 and 20.0 innings, respectively.
Georgia Southern is 5-5 this season and fell in its last contest to USF, 2-0, at the USF Invitational where it went 1-2. The Eagles' offense is paced by Andrea Tarashuk's .379 average and six doubles. Brooke Red (0.60 ERA, 12 SO) and Sarah Purvis (1.43 ERA, 33 SO) have logged 57.2 of 70 innings this season.
Albany opens its season this weekend with Radford being its fourth contest. The Great Danes are the defending America East champions and made their fourth NCAA appearance in 2011. Sophomore pitcher Brittany MacFawn, who went 15-8 with a 2.37 ERA, 146 strikeouts and six shutouts in 162.2 innings of work last year, is UAlbany's top returnee.
Jacksonville State (1-5) started 0-5 this season, but comes into this weekend after a 15-10 slugfest win over Southeast Louisiana. Kristin Graham is batting .500, while Shelby Holley has a team-best four home runs and 8 RBI for the Gamecocks.
Radford will continue on the road on Tuesday for an in-state battle at James Madison. First pitch of the doubleheader in set for 3:00 p.m.
