SOFTBALL OPENS SEASON FRIDAY AT CHATTANOOGA TOURNAMENT

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RADFORD, Va. – No team in Division I softball saw a bigger jump in victories last season than the 23-game leap Radford made under first-year head coach Aileen Morales. Now the Highlanders are ready to take another step forward as they begin the 2017 campaign this weekend at the Chattanooga Challenge.

Radford gets started with two games on Friday, facing IUPUI at 11 a.m. and host Chattanooga at 4 p.m. Two games against Kennesaw State around one versus Tennessee Tech will follow on Saturday and Sunday.

"We're ready to play," Morales said. "The fun part is about to get going. We're excited to get out on the road and start competing against somebody else."

The 35 wins posted by last year's squad were the most for the program since 2011 and it followed up a fourth-place Big South finish with three conference tournament victories to reach the semifinals for the first time since 2012.

Five starting position players and two pitchers who contributed to that success are back this season, led by senior ace Abby Morrow and redshirt sophomore shortstop Marissa Gagliano, both All-Big South second team selections. Morrow led the Big South in ERA (2.10), shutouts and complete games during the regular season and logged the third-most innings in program history. Gagliano ranked in the top five in hits, stolen bases and doubles, while leading the country in assists, defensively.

That duo is joined by seniors Kayla Bishton, who starred in the Big South tournament run, and outfielder Summer Robinson, both of whom put up career numbers at the plate last year. Bishton, who will move from the outfield to first base, co-led the team in doubles and was third in home runs and RBIs, while Robinson was fourth in doubles and RBIs and led the way in triples. Sophomores Hannah Medlam and Marissa Yow started all but four games in the field during their rookie campaigns, while classmate Kayla Huffman made 26 appearances in the circle.

Those returners are joined by three players who sat out with injuries last year, catcher Maggie Rowe, pitcher Tiffany Brown and infielder Brittany Wratchford. Rowe was a conference All-Freshman Team member two seasons ago and will likely start behind the plate, with Brown getting plenty of time in the circle. Morales is excited about each has developed and progressed since their recovery.

A freshmen class of seven rounds out the roster, led by Hunter Mundy, who will likely start at third base and occupy a spot in the middle of the lineup. Lauren Maddrey and Sofia Tapia will compete for outfield spots, while Mallory Marsicek and Callie Morgan battle for the vacated second-base position. Lindsey Toneygay and Brooke Trapuzzano will provide depth and versatility in the infield and outfield.

The Highlanders' two home run and RBI leaders (Becky Mantel and Whitney Davis) were among the four losses to graduation, but the group back this season has something that is perhaps more valuable - having battled with the top tier in the conference during last year's regular-season and pulled out three hard-fought wins in the postseason.

"That to me is the one thing we can take away from last year, is just the experience of being in those moments and being successful in those moments," Morales said. "Now you know how much work you put in to get that success."

Radford is the only team in this weekend's field that will be playing for the first time. Chattanooga went 2-3 in its opening weekend, with two of the losses coming to Liberty. IUPUI also enters at 2-3, while Kennesaw State is 3-2 and Tennessee Tech is 0-5.

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Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

#38 Maggie Rowe: C; 5' 4"; Junior; R/R

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

#4 Mallory Marsicek: INF; 5' 4"; Freshman; R/R

Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

#38 Maggie Rowe
: 5' 4"; Junior; R/R
: C

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

#4 Mallory Marsicek
: 5' 4"; Freshman; R/R
: INF