UTC-Dayton Box Score
UTC-Princeton Box Score
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. --- Behind four home runs, the Chattanooga softball team swept through the first day of the 2009 Frost Classic with wins over Dayton and Princeton. In is first contest, UTC (7-11) beat the Flyers (2-9) 6-4, while downing the Tigers (1-1) 8-0 in six innings.
The big bat of the day belonged to junior Brittany Eason, who had a monster day against Princeton. In the nightcap Eason had two home runs and the first triple of her career. She also knocked in a career-high four RBI.
Kandice Irwin (3-6) picked up her first victory since opening weekend with a three-hit, complete game shutout. The sophomore had complete control of her arsenal, striking out four and not walking a batter.
"It is good to be home," head coach Frank Reed said. "We have been working on some things in practice, cutting down on our swings and what-not. Tonight though we came out and played quality softball, offensively, defensively, and in the circle."
The Lady Mocs jumped on Princeton early with four runs in the first inning. Already up 1-0, a Michelle Fuzzard sacrifice fly doubled the lead to 2-0, before Eason launched her first two-run homer of the game.
Eason struck again in the fifth with a leadoff triple. The very next batter, Lauren Flores, put Chattanooga up 5-0 with a sacrifice fly.
In the sixth, a Toni Hutchison double scored Jessie Kuhlman to up the lead to 6-0, before Eason ended the game with her second round-tripper.
Against Dayton, the Lady Mocs were also able to jump out to a quick lead, scoring five runs through the first three innings. The big blast came in the form of a two-run home run off the bat of Hutchison, who belted her team-leading fifth home run of the season.
The Flyers were able to answer however with two runs in both the fourth and the fifth off UTC starter Michelle Fuzzard (2-4). Fuzzard struck out seven in four-and-two-thirds, allowing four runs, three unearned, and walking two.
Tia Blosser gave Chattanooga a big insurance run in the sixth thanks to a sac fly that scored Flores.
Kaity Holloway picked up the second save of her career, throwing the final two-and-a-third innings. Holloway allowed only one hit in relief, while striking out and walking one apiece.
Day Two of the 2009 Frost Classic will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday from Warner Park. The Lady Mocs are scheduled to take the field at 3 p.m. against Valparaiso and again at 5 p.m. against Boston College.
Live stats will be available at GoMocs.com, as well as weather updates for the tournament.
