Softball 4/6/2015 3:28:00 PM

SOFTBALL LOOKS FOR THIRD SERIES WIN IN CONFERENCE PLAY AT LIBERTY

Radford (9-18, 4-4 BSC) :: Liberty (17-20, 6-6 BSC)
Wednesday, April 7, 2015 :: 2 p.m./4 p.m.
Wednesday, April 8, 2015 :: 2 p.m.
Liberty Softball Stadium :: Lynchburg, Va.
Live Stats (Game 1) :: Live Stats (Game 2) :: Live Stats (Game 3)
Video (Game 1) :: Video (Game 2) :: Video (Game 3)

Radford Highlanders (9-18, 4-4 Big South)
Roster | Schedule | Game Notes | Season Stats | Twitter | Instagram

RADFORD, Va. ---- Coming off a seven-run rally in the top of the seventh to down ETSU, Radford returns to Big South Conference play at Liberty from April 7-8. First pitch from the Liberty Softball Stadium in Lynchburg, Va., on Tuesday is scheduled for 2 p.m.

The Highlanders split its doubleheader last week at ETSU after mounting a seven-run rally in the top of the seventh of the finale. A pair of two-out homers from Becky Mantel and Whitney Davis fueled Radford's seven runs in the seventh. Mantel and Davis lead the team with five home runs this season. Seven runs in the seventh tied the most runs the Red and White has scored in a single inning this season. The Highlanders put seven on the board in the fourth inning against Charleston Southern on March 29.

Mantel extended her streak of reaching base to 13 games after recording a hit in both contests against the Bucs on April 1.

Radford recorded four home runs at ETSU, two coming in each contest. Kayla Bishton and Mackenzie Blackwell put the ball over the fence in game one before Mantel and Davis did so in game two.

Summer Robinson led the Highlanders with a .600 batting average. She has two doubles in the series to put her season total at five to rank second on the team. Megan Honaker had the most hits in the midweek series on the team, putting the ball in play on four occasions, highlighted by her first double of the year.

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 Flames
Liberty earned its third Big South series victory of the season last weekend, going 2-1 against Presbyterian in a three-game home set. The Lady Flames opened the weekend by sweeping the Blue Hose in a Friday doubleheader. Liberty downed PC, 7-3, during game one, as Kelby Allen, Mickey Loveridge and Kassidy McCoy had two hits each and Alexia Taylor and Madison Kotchey both homered. Kenzie Friesen then shut down the Blue Hose in the nightcap, tossing a two-hit shutout as Liberty won, 2-0. Presbyterian earned a 10-2 win on Saturday to salvage one victory.

Radford at Liberty: The Series
In one of its longest-running histories, Radford is 48-26 against Liberty. The first matchup between the two sides came on March 22, 1994. The Highlanders claimed the doubleheader by a combined total of 11-2. Radford opened the series on a six-game win streak before the Flames downed the Highlanders for the first time on March 7, 1995, 2-0, in Lynchburg, Va.

Radford has won the last four meetings with Liberty, including sweeping the Flames at the Radford Softball Stadium last season. The Highlanders have been the victors in eight of the last nine contests.

The Highlanders are 17-15 all-time while playing Liberty on the road. The two split a doubleheader last time they met in Lynchburg, Va., back in 2013.

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Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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

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

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

Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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

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

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