The Radford University softball team began practice on Tuesday afternoon inside the Sioros Center in preparation for the 2018 season, under first-year head coach Hope Creasy.
“It’s always a good feeling to have everyone back and healthy as we begin preparing for the upcoming season,” Creasy stated. “We have a strong core group of returners, experienced position players as well as seasoned pitchers.”
The Highlanders return two of their three pitchers from last year’s squad, including senior Abby Morrow. Morrow was a 2017 All-Big South Honorable Mention member and led the Big South in wins with 20. She also led the conference in complete games with 21 last season and ranked seventh in ERA (3.05) and strikeouts (104).
“Some of our best hitters and run producers will be returning to the line-up this spring, which is always exciting,” Creasy explained.
A couple of those top-returning sluggers are sophomore Hunter Mundy and redshirt-junior Marissa Gagliano. Mundy led the Highlanders with a .323 batting average and 50 hits as a freshman, which guided her to earn All-Big South First Team and Big South All-Freshman Team honors. The Creedmoor, N.C., native led the squad with 11 doubles, 33 RBIs and a .555 slugging percentage in 2017.
Gagliano was one of three Highlanders to start all 55 games a year ago. She was second on the team in hits (45) and batting average (.276). The leadoff hitter was among the top 10 in the Big South with a team-leading 35 runs scored.
“While we have a great group of upperclassmen, we also have some talented athletes in the freshmen class who will provide assistance on the mound, in the field, and at the plate,” Creasy ended.
Radford returns eight starters from the 2017 season with four newcomers added into the mix.
The Highlanders open their season on Feb. 9 against ETSU in Statesboro, Ga., competing in the Eagle Round Robin hosted by Georgia Southern. Radford will play five games during the opening weekend.
–RU Athletics
