Radford softball opens the 2013 campaign Wednesday when the Highlanders head to Chapel Hill, N.C. for a doubleheader at No. 23 North Carolina. First pitch for head coach Maggie Johnson's debut is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. with game two approximately 30 minutes following the conclusion of the opener.

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The Highlanders are coming off their fourth straight Big South regular season championship, which saw them win 16 conference games for the third time in four seasons (62-13 BSC).  They also won every conference series (7) in 2012 and have taken 28 of the last 29, which included a league record stretch of 21 straight (2008-11).

However, this squad will have a very different look to it. Radford returns just four starters (3 position/1 pitcher) and welcomes 10 newcomers (nine freshmen) to a squad that won 34 games last season, the program's ninth straight 30-plus win campaign.
 
PITCHING: The one constant is two-time Big South Pitcher of the Year Jackie Jenkins. The senior twirler was 17-9 last season with three saves and a 2.16 ERA. She held opponents to a .219 batting average and posted five shutouts in 2012. Jenkins will be looked upon to mentor a young staff that will also have to rely on freshmen early in the year due to an injury that has sidelined junior Stephanie Dameron. Dameron has also played a pivotal role despite her injury, helping freshmen Rachael Walters and Allie Reid get game ready.

CATCHERS: Radford will start the season with two freshmen catchers, Emily Naegele and Megan Honaker. It will be the first time a rookie will start the season behind the dish since 2007, when Sarah Himan began her stellar four-year career as a Highlander. Both rookies possess strong arms and bring with them several years of high school and club experience. According to Johnson, Naegele is very vocal as a rookie, seems comfortable behind the plate and also brings a big bat to the offense. Honaker is very quick defensively and provides speed in all aspects of her game, making her a top threat on the bases.

INFIELD: The infield will have a different look to it as all four positions will be filled by new faces. Johnson, who is focusing on quickness from her infielders, may tinker around early in the season to find the right combination. The Highlanders will be young and will look to lone returnee, junior Jessie Hutchens, to provide leadership. Even Hutchens, an all-conference first baseman from a season ago, will be in a new spot, moving to shortstop. The other middle infield spots will be a battle among junior college transfer Hilari Hopkins, senior Jessica Agee and freshman Hayley Tabora. Hopkins steps in immediately and provides multiple options. Agee, has played the majority of her innings in the outfield, but has been working as a middle infielder during the fall and preseason. Freshmen will occupy the corners no matter who wins preseason battle. Casey Burns and Whitney Davis have seen a lot of time alternating between first and third base, while Tabora (third) and Nia Chiles (first) will make a push for time at those respective spots.
 
OUTFIELD: This may be the most experienced area on the field as two-thirds of last year's starting group returns. Seniors Ryndee Ruch (55 starts) and Morgan Eye (49 games, 32 starts) patrolled the corner spots, and along with Agee bring leadership, consistency and aggressive play to their positions. There still will be competition going into the season as several rookies will be vying for a starting spot. That group includes Chiles, Hopkins, Honaker, Becky Mantel and Mackenzie Blackwell.

COACHING STAFF: Johnson takes over the helm of the Highlanders after spending a total of seven years (2004-08, 2012) as a Radford assistant and three seasons as the head coach at Georgia Southern (2009-11). Joining her on the staff are RU alumna Michelle Carlson ('08) and Canadian National Team pitcher Sarah Phillips (North Georgia College & State University '11).
 
A LOOK AT UNC: The Tar Heels bounced back from an 0-2 start to win three straight, including a 3-1 triumph over then-No. 10 LSU, at the host's Tiger Classic. Tisha Mahon batted . 600 (6-10), while Haleigh Dickey posted a .455 average (5-11) with three RBI and a .636 slugging percentage. In the circle, Lori Spingola started and completed three games (22 IP). She recorded a 2.05 ERA with 14 strikeouts and held her opponents to a .213 average.
 
SERIES: UNC is 11-1 all-time against Radford after sweeping a doubleheader at RU Softball Field last season. The last time the Highlanders played in Chapel Hill (2010), they split with the Tar Heels, taking game one, 5-4 in eight innings, which marked the first win over UNC in program history.
 
UP NEXT: Radford hosts another ACC opponent in local rival Virginia Tech on Feb. 20. The Highlanders and Hokies will play a single game at 3:00 p.m. at RU Softball Field.