RADFORD CLOSES HOME SLATE WITH KEY SERIES VS. LIBERTY

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RADFORD, Va. – The Radford softball team returns to conference play with its final three home games of the season as it hosts rival Liberty for an important three-game series, beginning with a doubleheader on Tuesday at 4 p.m.

The Highlanders (29-18, 10-5) and Flames (26-24, 12-6) are currently in a three-way battle with Coastal Carolina for second place in the Big South.

All three games will be streamed live on the Big South Network. Tuesday's doubleheader will be the team's cancer awareness day as they join the Susan G. Komen Foundation along with local survivors to raise awarness and funds. All fans will receive pink Highlanders t-shirts.

SETTING THE STAGE

Days/Times: Tuesday, April 26 – 4 p.m. (DH) | Wednesday, April 27 – 2 p.m.
Location: Radford Softball Stadium
Live Stats
Live Video: Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3
Series: With nine wins in the last 12 games, Radford has increased its lead in the all-time series to 49-28. Liberty, though, took two of three meetings last season. The Highlanders have won 10 straight on their home field since 2009 and are 26-9 overall.

HIGHLANDER HIGHLIGHTS

Becky Mantel reached base in both of the games on Saturday, extending her streak to 21 games in a row. She stands fourth in the league with a .456 on-base percentage and remains tied for fourth with 39 runs scored.
Radford has won its last six Big South games, having swept home series' against Gardner-Webb and Presbyterian.
In conference play, the Highlanders are second with a 2.27 ERA and fifth in batting at .273.
Abby Morrow leads the conference with a 1.27 ERA against league foes, while allowing just two runs – one earned – over 32.1 innings during her last five appearances, including four complete starts.
Lauren McIntyre has a 1.75 ERA in three conference starts, while Kayla Huffman owns a 1.81 ERA over six Big South appearances.
Nia Chiles is hitting a team-best .400 in league play, followed by Marissa Gagliano at .340.
Hannah Medlam and Summer Robinson lead the way with nine RBIs apiece in Big South games, with Marissa Yow totaling eight. Mantel and Kayla Bishton share team-high honors with 11 runs scored.
In 15 conference games, Radford has totaled 17 doubles, six triples and 11 home runs.
For the season, Gagliano is tied for fourth in the league with 52 hits and fourth in stolen bases (23), while Bishton ranks third with her 12 doubles. Robinson, Gagliano and Medlam share third with three triples.

SCOUTING LIBERTY

Liberty has won five of its six Big South' series, including taking two of three at home against Charleston Southern over the weekend.
In conference play, the Flames are third in ERA (2.79), sixth in average (.255) and last in fielding percentage.
Freshman Julia DiMartino was named the Big South Pitcher of the Week on Monday after allowing just one earned run over 22 innings in three wins last week.
DiMartino holds a 14-10 record on the season and is fifth in the league with a 2.57 ERA. She ranks third with a .246 opponent batting average while totaling 145 strikeouts and 42 walks in 136.1 innings.
Redshirt senior Chandler Ball is 4-5 with a 3.29 ERA in 28 appearances, but just four starts. She holds a 2.06 ERA over 34 innings in 11 conference appearances.
Freshman Chase Cassady has made 20 starts and has a 7-8 record and 4.61 ERA in 92.2 innings. She has 102 strikeouts and 56 walks.
Offensively, Liberty has totaled 60 doubles, 12 triples and 25 home runs on the season, while recording 63 stolen bases on 83 attempts.
Outfielder Tori Zavodny leads the conference with five triples, is third with 24 stolen bases and tied for fourth with 39 runs.
Catcher Alexia Taylor is the Flames' RBI leader with 30 and is tied for fourth in the league with 52 hits, including 11 doubles.
Third baseman Kassidy McCoy leads the team with five home runs and is second with 24 RBIs, while Jaclyn Amader holds a .324 average with 11 doubles.

UP NEXT
Radford continues a challenging week as it travels to first-place Longwood on Friday and Saturday.

For the latest on Radford Athletics, please subscribe to our weekly newsletter, Highlander Happenings.

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Players Mentioned

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

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

#5 Marissa Gagliano: OF/SS; 5' 4"; Redshirt Freshman; L/R

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

#2 Abby Morrow: P; 5' 10"; Junior; R/R

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

#24 Hannah Medlam: OF; 5' 6"; Freshman; L/R

#22 Kayla Huffman: P; 5' 7"; Freshman; R/R

#8 Lauren McIntyre: P/INF; 5' 5"; Freshman; R/R

#23 Marissa Yow: C; 5' 9"; Freshman; R/R

Players Mentioned

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

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

#5 Marissa Gagliano
: 5' 4"; Redshirt Freshman; L/R
: OF/SS

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

#2 Abby Morrow
: 5' 10"; Junior; R/R
: P

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

#24 Hannah Medlam
: 5' 6"; Freshman; L/R
: OF

#22 Kayla Huffman
: 5' 7"; Freshman; R/R
: P

#8 Lauren McIntyre
: 5' 5"; Freshman; R/R
: P/INF

#23 Marissa Yow
: 5' 9"; Freshman; R/R
: C