UTC-Virginia Tech Box Score

UTC-Tennessee Tech Box Score

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. --- The Chattanooga softball team (4-2) is developing quite a flair for the dramatics. In the final day of the Chattanooga Challenge the Lady Mocs stunned Virginia Tech (2-3), 5-4, pulling off an improbably rally in their first game of the afternoon. In its second game the team dropped a 3-1 decision at the hands of Tennessee Tech (3-2).

Chattanoogas contest with the Hokies seemed like it would be a second straight loss for the Lady Mocs as the UTC remained stymied by VT pitcher Kenzie Roark. In the third inning Virginia Tech was able to finally rough up pitcher Michelle Fuzzard with three runs off four hits.

The score would remain at 3-0 until the top of the seventh when Virginia Tech added another run with a Richelle McGarva single. That would not be the only scoring in the games final inning as the Lady Mocs began to set up another thrilling finish.

The bottom half of the seventh would begin with a leadoff infield single by Lynleigh Hurndon. Jessica Traxler would be next at the plate and hit what would seem to be a routine grounder to the pitcher. Roark however made an errant throw to second base and all runners were safe.

A Jenni Martin walk brought Brittany Eason to plate, who, like Traxler, would reach on a Roark error, which scored the Lady Mocs first run. Lyndsey Stiles continued her monster weekend with an RBI single to centerfield, bringing in Traxler. The next batter, Lauren Flores, would then reach on a hit-by-pitch to bring UTC within one.

The next batter would be Michelle Fuzzard and the sophomore gave Chattanooga its second walk-off victory of the season with a deep double to right center, bringing in Kristin Holloway and Kaiti Kelley.

The Lady Mocs ended the contest with six hits, with Stiles, Fuzzard and Hurndon having two apiece as UTC improved to 4-1. Kaity Holloway (2-1) notched her second victory of the season, pitching 4.1 innings of relief and allowing one run and three hits.

In the final game of the tournament, the Lady Mocs were hurt by the long ball as two Golden Eagle home runs gave Tennessee Tech the 3-1 victory. Kandice Irwin (2-1) received her first loss of the season, giving up three earned runs and struck out six.

The big blow to UTC came in the fourth as Whitney Cummings sent a two-run shot to right-centerfield, giving TTU the first runs of the game. Holly Thomas would tack on the Golden Eagles other run with a home run down the leftfield line in the sixth.

In the bottom half, the Mocs would stage a rally as Tiffany Baker recorded a one out double to right-center. Toni Hutchison singled to advance pinch-runner Della Harrison to third. Jenni Martin would step back up to the plate and came through in the clutch again, lining a single into left field to put UTC on the board.

Chattanooga was unable to duplicate its first game heroics however, falling just short, 3-1.

The team also had three players named to the Chattanooga Challenge All-Tournament team as Michelle Fuzzard, Tiffany Baker and Kandice Irwin received the honors. Both Baker and Fuzzard hit over .470 and combined for 11 RBI on the weekend. Irwin finished the tourney 2-1 with a 1.80 ERA.

The team will now travel to the Valley of the Sun to take on the reigning national champion Arizona State Sun Devils on Thursday at 8 p.m. (ET). The Lady Mocs will then remain in Tempe, Ariz., to play in the Littlewood Classic, hosted by ASU. UTC will play a stacked field in Kent State, Arizona State, Illinois State, Idaho State and Iowa. Chattanoogas next home game will be on Feb. 27 as the team hosts the annual Frost Classic. The Lady Mocs will play Dayton and Princeton, with the first game scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. from Jim Frost Stadium.

2009 Chattanooga Challenge All-Tournament Team

P- Ashlan Williams, Troy
P-Kandice Irwin, UTC
IF-Michelle Fuzzard, UTC
IF-Tiffany Baker, UTC
IF-Karlie Love, Campbell
IF-Amanda Miller, Campbell
IF-Whitney Cummings, TTU
OF-Heidi Johnson, Troy
OF-Tasha Elmore, Troy
OF-Holly Thomas, TTU
DP-Jenna Rhodes, VT