PHOTO COURTESY OF RU ATHLETICS
Following the results of Sunday’s slate of Big South action, the Radford Softball program has clinched at least a share of the conference’s regular season title for the fifth time in program history.
With 11 Big South wins and no other team able to climb to 12, Radford softball has clinched at least a share of the conference regular season title with one series still to play next weekend. The title is the Highlanders first since the 2012 campaign.
The Big South Tournament is quickly approaching, set to take place between May 7-10 in Clinton, S.C. With key series victories over Longwood, USC Upstate and Winthrop so far this season, the Highlanders have earned the top seed and anticipate beginning play on May 8. The return to the tournament will mark Radford’s first postseason action since 2022.
Under the guidance of first-year head coach Kevin Fagan, Radford has excelled this season to the tune of a 26-24 overall record and 11-4 record in the Big South. In nonconference play, Radford has claimed key wins over Louisville, UNC Greensboro, Charlotte, Middle Tennessee and Binghamton while checking in at 90th in the most recent NCAA RPI rankings. The team was also ranked 25th in the most recent DI Softball Mid-Major Rankings.
On the field, Radford has been led by star freshman pitcher Dakota Redmon who was recently named to the NFCA Top 25 Freshman of the Year watchlist, just the second Highlander to ever do so. Offensively, it’s been a team effort for the Highlanders led by senior leaders Rachel Smith and Cassi Barbato as well as huge bounce back seasons from Grace Bechtol and Amanda Lee. Transfers Isabel Harrison and Kelley Feigen have also played a large role in the Highlanders’ success.
The Highlanders are currently focused on preparing for their final Big South series of the season in just about a week’s time. Radford will visit Presbyterian for a three-game series beginning Friday, May 2.
