CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. --- The wait for the Chattanooga softball team is almost over as the squad will open up the 2009 season on Friday at the Chattanooga Challenge. The Lady Mocs will begin the campaign at 3 p.m. against Maine followed by a 5:30 p.m. contest against Campbell. The other three schools participating in the six-team tournament are Virginia Tech, Troy and Tennessee Tech.
This is the 10th year the program has hosted the tournament and UTC has posted a 31-12 mark in the event.
The Lady Mocs will meet Campbell for the first time, but faces Maine for the fourth time, Virginia Tech for the sixth, time, Troy for the second time, and Tennessee Tech for the 11th time. UTC holds series advantages over all the teams except for Maine, who has won 2-of-3.
Live stats will be available for all of the Lady Mocs games at GoMocs.com.
Scouting the Lady Mocs
Fresh off the programs 10th regular season Southern Conference championship, the Chattanooga softball team enters 2009 with a veteran-laced squad and its sights set on another title. Head Coach Frank Reed and his squad will look to continue their 2008 success where the Lady Mocs went 41-22 and made the programs sixth appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
This season the team will return five starters, including reigning SoCon Freshman of the Year Michelle Fuzzard. Last season Fuzzard led the team in a myriad of offensive categories, including batting average (.356) and doubles (14). The Lady Mocs could return its entire pitching staff from 2008 if junior Brooke Loudermilk makes a complete recovery from off-season shoulder surgery. For the first few weeks of the season sophomore Kandice Irwin will be UTCs No. 1 starter after finishing 9-9 last year.
Scouting the Black Bears
Maine returns its entire roster from 2008 with all 16 letterwinners coming back to Orono for 2009. Last season the Black Bears finished at 11-39 with a 10-11 mark in the America East Conference.
Returning for Maine in 2009 is will be senior Ashley Waters. Last season Waters led the team in virtually every offensive category with a .352 batting average and 10 home runs.
Scouting the Fighting Camels
Campbell enters the Chattanooga Challenge off a 2008 season where the Camels advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Last year the team finished with a 42-25 record. The starting lineup will look very similar for Campbell with eight starters returning.
Amanda Littlejohn comes back for her junior season after leading the team with a .367 batting average and 72 RBI.
Scouting the Hokies
The Virginia Tech Hokies enter the 2009 campaign coming off the programs first ever Womens College World Series appearance in 2008. Last year Tech ended with a 49-19 record, including a 16-5 mark in the ACC.
This season the Hokies will have to replace to All-American Angela Tincher. On offense Virginia Tech will once again have the services of Charisse Mariconda, who finished with a .340 batting average.
Scouting the Trojans
The 2009 version of the Troy Trojans will feature eight starters from a team that finished 33-23 last season. This year Troy is projected to finish third in the Sun Belt Conference after posting a 14-9 mark in 2008.
Heidi Johnson returns fro her senior season for the Trojans after leading the team in both home runs (11) and RBI (34).
Scouting the Golden Eagles
Tennessee Tech comes to Chattanooga off a 2008 season where the Golden Eagles went 32-30-1 with a 12-10 mark in conference play. This year TTU is projected to finish second in the Ohio Vally Conference.
On the field the Golden Eagles will return four starters. Tennessee Tech will have to replace Stephanie Fischer, who lead the team with a .457 batting average and 27 home runs.
