GAME 2 – TWO-HIT SHUTOUT KEYS RADFORD’S 500TH PROGRAM VICTORY

STATESBORO, Ga. – Chelsea Kelley (Roanoke, Va./Cave Spring) and Stephanie Dameron (Dameron, Md./St. Mary's Ryken) combined for a two-hit shutout and Radford won its 500th game in program history with a 7-0 win at Georgia Southern in the second game of the Spring Hill Suites Eagle Classic.

Kelley started and went the first three innings. After a leadoff single and a walk, the senior settled down to retire nine straight, which included one strikeout.

Dameron made an impressive collegiate debut as she retired the final 10 batters of the contest after getting into a little bit of trouble to start the fourth. With her performance, the frosh earned the victory.

Behind five hits and aggressive base running, Radford (1-1) scored its seven runs in the first four innings. Five different Highlanders recorded base knocks, which included a two-run blast in the fourth by junior Nichole Beall (Culpeper/Culpeper County).

GAME 1 – LATE RALLY FALLS SHORT IN SOFTBALL’S SEASON OPENER

STATESBORO, Ga. – Meredith Moore (Roanoke, Va..Cave Spring) recorded three hits, but Radford’s late rally came up short as it fell to Mercer, 6-4, in the season opener for both squads.

Moore was a triple short of the cycle and finished 3-for-4 with a RBI and two runs scored. Seniors Kristen Shifflett (Charlottesville, Va.) and Lauren Williams (Ashburn, Va.) each registered two hits for the Highlanders (0-1).

Trailing 6-1 after a four-run fifth by the Bears (1-0), Radford scored two runs in the sixth and another with no outs in the bottom of the seventh, but Kari Chambers retired the final three batters to earn the complete game victory.