SOFTBALL SET TO HOST FIRST-PLACE COASTAL IN CRUCIAL LEAGUE SERIES

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Radford begins a very key stretch as it continues its eight-game homestand against Big South leader Coastal Carolina on April 22 and 23. The second-place Highlanders (19-20, 11-4 Big South), who sit one-game back in the loss column, will battle the Chanticleers (33-13, 15-3) for the league's top spot when the squads clash at RU Softball Stadium. First pitch for Tuesday's doubleheader is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.

Tuesday's contests will be streamed live on the Big South Sports Network.

Last Time Out – Radford rallied for a pair of wins to sweep a non-conference doubleheader from Appalachian State on April 17 at RU Softball Stadium… RU scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh to take game one, 3-2… In the nightcap, Jessie Hutchens (3-run) and Whitney Davis hit back-to-back two-out home runs in the fifth to erase a 1-0 deficit and go on for the 4-1 win… Rachael Walters went 2-0, including a complete-game victory in game two after earning the relief win in the opener… She tossed the final 8.2 innings on the day, striking out six, scattering seven hits, striking outsix and not walking a batter.

Highlander Bites – Radford (11-4) moved into second place last weekend and is one-game in the loss column behind first-place Coastal Carolina (15-3) and two games ahead in the loss column over Longwood (14-6)… Rachael Walters is 5-1 with a 0.60 ERA, 28 strikeouts and just four walks in her last nine appearances (7 starts); In 35 innings of work, she has held her opponents to a .164 average (20 hits)… Jessie Hutchens is tops in hits (41), average (.369), HR (14), RBI (41), runs (40), slugging (.793) & OBP (.474)… Hutchens had her 22-game streak of reaching base safely snapped in game one against the Mountaineer, but has still reached base safely in 36 of 39 contests this season… In the last 11 games, Becky Mantel is batting .520 (13-25) with five home runs, 10 RBI and 17 runs, along with a .707 OBP and 1.240 slugging percentage… Mantel also continues to get plunked, adding three more to her single-season mark of 27.

NCAA Rankings – Radford is ranked 21^st in home runs per game (1.13)… Becky Mantel leads the NCAA in hit by pitches per game (0.69) and is tied for first in total HBPs (27)… Jessie Hutchens: home runs per game (9^th / .36), home runs (t-16^th / 14), slugging (24^th / .793), HBP per game (t-24^th / .33)… Abby Morrow is 15^th in fewest walks per seven innings (1.03)… Rachael Walters is tied for 19^th with three saves.

Big South Rankings - Jessie Hutchens: slugging (2^nd / .793), home runs (3^rd / 14), RBI (t-3^rd / 41), OBP (4^th / .474), total bases (5^th / 88), average (6^th / .369), runs (7^th / 31)... Whitney Davis: slugging (7^th / .648), home runs (t-7^th / 8)… Julie Gardner: walks (5^th / 20)... Becky Mantel: home runs (t-7^th / 8), OBP (t-7^th / .438), runs (8^th / 30) … Rachael Walters: saves (1^st / 3), appearances (t-6^th / 29), strikeouts (t-8^th / 97) … Abby Morrow: saves (t-2^nd / 2), appearances (t-6^th / 29), strikeouts (t-8^th / 97)... Team (played fewest games): home runs (2^nd / 44), slugging (4^th / .416); Pitching * (fewest IP by 32.1) – strikeouts per 7IP (2^nd / 6.24), fewest walks per 7 IP (3^rd / 1.89), strikeouts (5^th / 218).

Big South History – Radford has won four straight series after taking two-of-three at Charleston Southern and won 10 of its last 12 league games… Competing in its 23rd season of Big South play, Radford is 194-133 in league games, 117-39 since 2006… The Highlanders are 38-7 in conference weekends since the league introduced three-game series in 2007… They won a league-record 21 straight series between 2008 & 2011.

The Chanticleers – Coming off a sweep of Longwood, Coastal Carolina moved into sole possession of first place… The Chanticleers have won four straight and 10 of their last 12… They boast the top pitching staff in the league, posting a 1.40 ERA, over one run lower than the next program… Kiana Quolas is 21-5 with a 1.00 ERA, 159 strikeouts, six shutouts and .181 batting average against, all league bests… Ashley Bagwell is second in the conference with a 1.84 ERA, along with a 12-7 mark, 130 strikeouts and .211 average against… Offensively they bat .282 with a league-best 50 home runs… Bri Chiusano ranks fourth in the league with a team-best .415 average to go along with four triples, .525 OBP, 47 runs, 31 walks and 39 stolen bases (42 attempts)… Kory Hayden (.323) leads the league in home runs (16) and RBI (50) and also has a .731 slugging pct… Morgan Noad (.321) has posted eight doubles, 12 home runs and 41 RBI.

The Series – Coastal Carolina holds a slight lead in the series, 35-31… Radford won 2-of-3 last season on the road… The Highlanders are 12-15 at home, but the Chanticleers have won two straight and three of the last five in Radford… The last two meetings were in the semifinals of 2012 Big South Tournament in which the Chanticleers won, propelling them on their way to the 2012 tournament title… The Highlanders took two of three during the 2012 regular season series.

Up Next – Radford closes out its eight-game homestand on April 26 & 27 hosting Gardner-Webb in its final home games of the season… Saturday's game one will be carried on ESPN3 at 1:00 p.m., while Sunday's finale will be senior day… Seniors Jessie Hutchens and Stephanie Dameron will be recognized prior to the contest.

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