UTC-Belmont Box Score
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. --- Behind two massive home runs and a combined one-hitter, the Chattanooga softball team powered past Belmont 9-0 on Wednesday to extend its winning streak to seven games. Brittany Eason belted a three-run home run and Tiffany Baker hit her first career grand slam as the Lady Mocs (12-11/3-0 SoCon) had a season-high 11 hits.
“I thought we were very focused today,” head coach Frank Reed said. “It is a good sign anytime you score five runs in the first inning. Hopefully we will be able to carry this on to the weekend for conference play.”
In the circle, Kandice Irwin, Brooke Loudermilk and Michelle Fuzzard threw nearly five innings of hitless softball as the Bruins (8-10/0-2 A-Sun) had only two baserunners in the contest. Belmont broke up the no-hitter in the top of the fifth with a two-out single by Stayci Cook off Fuzzard.
Loudermilk (2-0) picked up the win for UTC, throwing two-innings with a walk and a strikeout.
The Lady Mocs set the tone early in the contest thanks to five runs off five UTC hits. The rally began with a Tia Blosser single into centerfield, followed by a run scoring double by Fuzzard to put Chattanooga up 1-0.
After walks by Baker and Toni Hutchison, Jenni Martin drove in UTC's second run of the game with a fielder's choice. With two runners on and only one out, Eason delivered the big blow in the inning with a home run to left-centerfield, her third of the season.
After a scoreless second, the Lady Mocs' offense cranked right back up as Kaiti Kelley singled down the leftfield line for her second hit of the day. Lyndsey Stiles then singled up the middle before Fuzzard walked two batters later to load up the bases for Baker. On the first pitch she saw, the sophomore sent a majestic fly over the wall in left center to complete her perfect day at the plate.
With Fuzzard's one RBI and Baker's four, the two tied teammate Toni Hutchison with 14 RBI for the season.
Lynleigh Hurndon, Lauren Flores and Jenni Martin also recorded hits in the Lady Mocs 11-hit barrage.
Chattanooga will look to continue its winning ways on Saturday with a doubleheader against Samford in Southern Conference play. The twin bill will begin at 5 p.m. from Jim Frost Stadium.
Live stats for both games will be available at GoMocs.com.
