SOFTBALL DROPS WEEKEND’S FINAL CONTEST, 6-1

BOX SCORE Elon (3-0) 6 :: Radford (0-3) 1 :: Photo Gallery

ELON, N.C. ---- The Radford softball team closed out its opening weekend at the Elon Tournament with a 6-1 loss against the event's host, Elon, on Sunday. The Highlanders finished the two-day competition 0-3.

"We have a lot of things to work on and have to get healthy," said head coach Maggie White. "We need to get tougher on defense and not let mistakes sting together that leads to runs for the other team. We have a lot of bats going, and some options came out this weekend that we didn't even know we had. We will figure out how to use that to our advantage heading into next weekend."

Alex Lang, getting her first start of 2015, led Radford with two hits and an RBI. Her single in the second scored Becky Mantel. Megan Honaker, Maggie Rowe and Mackenzie Blackwell all recorded hits in Sunday's contest. Kelsey Weddle started in the circle, logging two innings of work and surrendering four hits. Brittany Wratchford came in as relief, going three innings and giving up one hit with no earned runs.

Kara Schutt guided the Phoenix to its third win of the year, going 1-2 at the plate with two RBI and a run. Alaina Hall had two hits and an RBI. Kiandra Mitchum was awarded the win in the circle, pitching five innings and giving up one unearned run off four hits.

Elon busted the game open in the fourth inning, tallying three runs. The Phoenix posted its third run of the side with only one out on a blooper hit into shallow, left-center field.

After falling behind 2-0 in the opening inning, the Highlanders responded in the top of the second with an RBI single from Lang to score Mantel. Mantel reached second base by an error in left field and advance to third on a ground ball before being brought home.

Elon escaped the first inning unscathed after Radford was unable to score Honaker from third. The Phoenix took the early lead on a Shutt double to score one run. Shutt was then brought around on a single to left field by Cameron.

The Highlanders return to action next weekend at the USC Upstate Tournament in Spartanburg, S.C. Radford opens the weekend against George Mason at noon on Friday, Feb. 13, and then takes on Furman at 4 p.m.

For the latest news on the Radford softball team, follow the Highlanders on Twitter at @RadfordSoftball. To keep up with all Radford athletics, follow @RU_Athletics on Twitter.

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Players Mentioned

#8 Mackenzie Blackwell: OF; 5' 7"; Senior; R/R

#1 Megan Honaker: C/UT; 5' 3"; Junior; L/R

#12 Becky Mantel: OF; 5' 4"; Junior; R/R

#11 Kelsey Weddle: P; 5' 10"; Senior; R/R

#23 Brittany Wratchford: IF; 5' 4"; Sophomore; R/R

#38 Maggie Rowe: C/1B; 5' 4"; Freshman; R/R

#14 Alex Lang: IF; 5' 7"; Freshman; R/R

Players Mentioned

#8 Mackenzie Blackwell
: 5' 7"; Senior; R/R
: OF

#1 Megan Honaker
: 5' 3"; Junior; L/R
: C/UT

#12 Becky Mantel
: 5' 4"; Junior; R/R
: OF

#11 Kelsey Weddle
: 5' 10"; Senior; R/R
: P

#23 Brittany Wratchford
: 5' 4"; Sophomore; R/R
: IF

#38 Maggie Rowe
: 5' 4"; Freshman; R/R
: C/1B

#14 Alex Lang
: 5' 7"; Freshman; R/R
: IF