Softball 4/10/2015 9:40:00 AM

SOFTBALL EYES CHANTICLEERS IN BIG SOUTH SHOWDOWN

Radford (10-20, 5-6 BSC) :: Coastal Carolina (23-17, 9-2 BSC)
Saturday, April 11, 2015 :: 12:02 p.m./2:02 p.m.
Sunday, April 12, 2015 :: 1 p.m.
Coastal Carolina Softball Stadium :: Conway, S.C.
Live Stats (Game 1) :: Live Stats (Game 2) :: Live Stats (Game 3)
Video (Game 1) :: Video (Game 3)

Radford Highlanders (10-20, 5-6 Big South)
Roster | Schedule | Game Notes | Season Stats | Twitter | Instagram

RADFORD, Va. ---- Following a 4-1 victory and holding Liberty to just two hits in the series finale on April 8, Radford looks to take its third Big South Conference series of the year at Coastal Carolina. Part one of Saturday's doubleheader will be broadcast on ESPNU.

First pitch on Saturday is scheduled for 12:02 with game two of the doubleheader following shortly after the conclusion of the opening contest. Sunday's finale will begin at 1 p.m.

Tiffany Brown threw her third complete game of the season last time out, holding Liberty to one run on two hits in the 143-pitch performance. It was Brown's second win on the season.

Becky Mantel reached base 10 out of 13 times against Liberty over the three-game series. In game two against the Flames, Mantel reached five out of five times, getting hit by a pitch twice, walking twice and hitting a double in the seventh. She has reached base in 16 consecutive games.

After a slow start to the season from the plate, Mantel has consistently raised her average to a team-best .321. Over the past 10 games, she has hit .414 with nine RBI.

The Highlanders combined for six extra base hits against Liberty. Becky Mantel, Nia Chiles and Summer Robinson notched doubles, while Chiles also found a hole for a triple, and Whitney Davis and Maggie Rowe cleared the fence for their sixth and fifth home runs, respectively.

Kelsey Weddle saw the most action in the circle during the midweek series against the Flames, throwing 7.2 innings. Weddle recorded a 2.74 ERA after giving up three earned runs on nine hits.

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.

The Forecast
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             Scouting the Chanticleers
The Chanticleers (23-17, 9-2 BSC) have won 10 of their last 12 games overall and hold a two-game lead over Longwood and Charleston Southern in the loss column.

Coastal Carolina leads the Big South with 60 home runs and entered the week ranked 11th in the nation in homers per game. The Chanticleers also rank first in the conference in batting, runs scored, slugging and on-base percentage. Coastal Carolina is batting .347 as a team in league play.

Individually, Kory Hayden tied the Big South's all-time home run record of 58 on Tuesday and will look to pass Liberty's Jessica Moore. Longwood senior Megan Baltzell is just behind with 57 entering the weekend.

            Radford at Coastal Carolina: The Series
The all-time series between Radford and Coastal Carolina has been a close battle, with the Chanticleers holding a 39-34 edge over the Highlanders. With a losing record against Coastal Carolina at home, Radford is 19-16 while playing the Chanticleers in Conway, S.C. As members of the Big South Conference, the Highlanders have a 31-30 advantage.

In last season's edition, Coastal Carolina won the three-game series over Radford. The Chanticleers took game one in Radford, Va., 6-5 in eight innings, and game three 8-3. The Highlanders won the second part of the doubleheader, 4-1.

Last time in Conway, S.C., in 2013, Radford took two of three from Coastal Carolina.

            Broadcast Information
The first part of Saturday's doubleheader will be broadcast on ESPNU with Cara Capuano and Michele Smith on the call. The game will also be streamed on ESPN3 and can be accessed at the link above. Sunday's finale will be streamed on the Big South Network. Follow the link above to view.

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Players Mentioned

#7 Nia Chiles: UT; 5' 11"; Junior; L/R

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

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

#6 Summer Robinson: OF; 5' 3"; Sophomore; R/R

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

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

#0 Tiffany Brown: P; 5' 8"; Freshman; R/R

Players Mentioned

#7 Nia Chiles
: 5' 11"; Junior; L/R
: UT

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

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

#6 Summer Robinson
: 5' 3"; Sophomore; R/R
: OF

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

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

#0 Tiffany Brown
: 5' 8"; Freshman; R/R
: P