Softball Takes Series Over Western Carolina; Takes Over First in SoCon

4/6/2007 8:00:00 PM | By: GoMocs.com

Hardees Game Day Wrap-Up

Box Score

Cullowhee, N.C. ? Chattanooga (26-22, 7-2 SoCon) capitalized on 13 hits, eight walks and an error to take game three in the series against Western Carolina (18-23, 3-6 SoCon) 11-1 Saturday afternoon in six innings. After three conference series, Chattanooga takes over sole possession of first.

Senior second baseman Brittney Whittier (Scottsdale, Ariz.) hit a two-run homer in the top of the sixth, helping solidify the win for the Lady Mocs in the top of the sixth with an eight-run inning.

Senior pitcher Ashley Frizzell (Soddy Daisy, Tenn.) picked up the win, improving her record to 10-9, 4-0 SoCon, with five strikeouts.

The Lady Mocs had a strong early showing going through an entire batting order in the first inning.

Senior left fielder Jeannie Cochran (Maryville, Tenn.) started off the game with a walk before stealing second to load the count on sophomore center fielder Ashley Cuticchia (Rising Fawn, Ga.). But that didn't bother the left handed batter who belted out a double to left center to score Cochran and put the Lady Mocs on the board with no outs 1-0.

Cuticchia advanced to third on a wild pitch, which was also ball four for senior first baseman Alyssa Edwards (Geneva, N.Y.) putting runners on first and third with one out. Sophomore third baseman Toni Hutchison (Madison, Tenn.) reached on an error by the second baseman with Cuticchia scoring, unearned. Edwards and Hutchison advanced on a wild pitch putting runners in scoring position again with only one out.

Junior shortstop Tara Tembey (Folsom, Calif.) loaded the bases on a walk bringing Whittier in the batter's box. Whittier walked, sending Edwards home, scoring three runs on one hit and one error.

Cochran led off the top of the second with a single to the right side before stealing second. Cuticchia walked. Freshman catcher Brittany Eason (Chattanooga, Tenn.) reached on a fielder's choice with Cochran thrown out at third base unassisted. Edwards walked, and Hutchison reached on a fielder's choice with Cuticchia thrown out at home. But all three were left on base.

Western Carolina loaded the bases in the bottom of the second after Lauren Ross walked, Mollie Fowler picked up a single and Jamie Swank reached on a fielder's choice and Ross reached third on an error. But three straight outs held the Catamounts scoreless going into the third.

Whittier singled to lead off the third inning, making it the three straight having the lead off batter reach. Sophomore designated player Carey Cooper (Sweetwater, Tenn.) advanced Whittier to second on a sacrifice bunt. But Whittier was left on base with the score still 3-0 going into the bottom of the inning.

The Catamounts picked up a hit for the third straight inning with Stephanie Beatty picking up a single before advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt. Ross tallied a single, advancing Beatty to third but both runners were left on.

Cuticchia led off the top of the fourth with a single to the right side on the first pitch before Eason doubled to right center on the next pitch putting runners on second and third. But three straight outs left the two on base.

Cooper picked up her first double of the season in the top of the fifth to get the bats going followed by Upchurch reaching on a walk. Cochran reached on a fielder's choice with Cooper thrown out at third.

Western Carolina picked up a run in the bottom of the fifth on Nikki Bost's one-out solo home run over left field on the first pitch seen, making the score 3-1 after five.

Eason continued the offensive attack with a lead off single on the first pitch seen in the top of the sixth. Edwards belted a single to left center before Hutchison hit a double to left field, scoring Eason and advancing Edwards to third with no outs.

Edwards scored on a ground out by Tembey before Whittier hit a two-run homer over the right field fence, her fourth of the season, to score Hutchison and make the score 7-1 with one out.

Cooper reached first on an error by the third baseman before advancing to third on Cochran's double to right field. Cuticchia walked to load the bases. Eason hit a single to the right side before advancing to second on the throw, scoring Cooper and Cochran. And Edwards picked up two RBIs on her single to the left side before advancing to second on the throw, making the score 11-1 as the inning closed.

The Catamounts were led by Beatty who went three-for-three, and Bost's home run. Ross and Savannah Filley both appeared for Western Carolina with Ross charged with the loss, with her record now 7-7.

Chattanooga heads to Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Wednesday to face No. 2 Alabama in a doubleheader beginning at 5:00 p.m. EST.

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