SOFTBALL SET FOR MIDWEEK TEST AGAINST NO. 25 VIRGINIA TECH

Radford (6-12, 2-1 BSC) :: No. 25 Virginia Tech (21-3, 3-2 ACC)
Wednesday, March 18 :: Radford Softball Stadium
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Radford Highlanders (6-12, 2-1 Big South)
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RADFORD, Va. ---- Fresh off its home opening series win over Campbell, the Radford softball team hosts New River Valley foe No. 25 Virginia Tech at the Radford Softball Stadium on Wednesday, March 18, at 7 p.m.

Wednesday's contest against the Hokies (21-3, 3-2 ACC) will be the fourth consecutive home game for the Highlanders (6-12, 2-1 BSC). Radford opened its home slate by taking two of three games against the Camels, who entered the season No. 3 in the Big South preseason poll. The Highlanders had not taken a series from Campbell since 2012.

True freshman Taylor Asimakopoulos notched the first two victories of her collegiate career against the Camels. Asimakopoulos threw 14 innings in two appearances, striking out five and holding the high-powered Campbell offense to just four runs. She recorded a 2.00 ERA in three appearances.

Becky Mantel led Radford at the plate against the Camels, finishing the series with a .500 batting average over the three games. Mantel had three hits, highlighted by a solo home run in game two that just miss the scoreboard in left field. She is now tied for the team lead with four homers on the season and needs two more to move into the top-10 in program history for career home runs.

Radford has not lacked power in its lineup, hitting 37 extra base hits through the season's first 18 games. At the ETSU Tournament from March 7-8, the Highlanders cranked out five home runs and four doubles. Radford hit two doubles in each of the three games against Campbell from March 14-15, and recorded a triple and home run in the series. Casey Burns has a team high eight extra base hits this season, seven of which are doubles. Kayla Bishton and Whitney Davis have tallied an extra base hit of every variety.

Virginia Tech leads the all-time series against the Highlanders, 34-10. The Hokies have won the past six meetings between the two programs. The last victory for Radford came on April 14, 2010, at the Radford Softball Stadium. The Highlanders downed the Hokies, 9-3. The win gave Radford two of the past three meetings, splitting a doubleheader back in 2009 in Blacksburg. In the latest edition of the rivalry, Virginia Tech beat Radford in a home-and-home series from April 23-24, 2013. The Hokies posted eight runs on the Highlanders in an 8-1 victory in Blacksburg before edging the Red and White out 2-1 at the Radford Softball Stadium.

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

#20 Kayla Bishton: OF/1B; 5' 8"; Sophomore; L/L

#3 Casey Burns: 1B/3B; 5' 7"; Junior; R/R

#15 Whitney Davis: 3B; 5' 11"; Junior; R/R

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

#24 Taylor Asimakopoulos: P; 5' 7"; Freshman; R/R

Players Mentioned

#20 Kayla Bishton
: 5' 8"; Sophomore; L/L
: OF/1B

#3 Casey Burns
: 5' 7"; Junior; R/R
: 1B/3B

#15 Whitney Davis
: 5' 11"; Junior; R/R
: 3B

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

#24 Taylor Asimakopoulos
: 5' 7"; Freshman; R/R
: P