UTC-Lipscomb Box Score (Game 1)
UTC-Lipscomb Box Score (Game 2)
NASHVILLE --- The Chattanooga softball team's four-game winning streak was halted on Wednesday as the Lady Mocs (20-18) were swept in a doubleheader by Lipscomb (25-8).
Lyndsey Stiles, Brittany Eason and Tiffany Baker were the leaders hitters for Chattanooga in the two games as both recorded two hits in six at bats. Baker accounted for three of the Lady Mocs' runs with her team-leading ninth home run of the season in the first game. She also drove in the team's only run in the nightcap on a RBI single.
In the Game 1, the Lady Mocs' potent offense was stymied through the early stages of the contest by Lipscomb pitcher Whitney Kiihnl (11-5). The right hander allowed only one hit through five innings as UTC only had four in the game.
Kandice Irwin (6-10) took the loss after starting strong, but was touched up for four earned runs through four and one-thirds of an inning. The righty shut down the Lipscomb offense through the first three innings before running into trouble in the fourth.
The Bisons were able to get on the board first in the game thanks to a solo home run by Abby Keese in the fourth inning.
After Kiihnl retired UTC in order, the Lipscomb offense was able to push across four more runs off four hits and a Chattanooga error. The inning began with a Caroline Mason single and a stolen base to put a runner on second with no outs. After a sacrifice bunt sent Mason to third, she would score a batter later on a fielder's choice.
With a 2-0 lead, Lipscomb then proceeded to pound out three straight singles to give the Bisons a four run advantage. Irwin was then pulled for Michelle Fuzzard. Fuzzard was able to get the first batter she faced to pop up, but an error by Jessica Traxler allowed the batter to reach and another run to score.
Down 5-0, the Chattanooga offense finally awoke in the sixth with the help of the top of its lineup. The inning began with a leadoff walk to Stiles, who scored two batters later on a stand-up double by Fuzzard. Baker stepped up the plate next and cut the Bisons' lead in half with a two-run shot to rightfield.
That would be all the offense the Lady Mocs' bats could muster however as Kiihnl did not allow another UTC run.
In the nightcap, Loudermilk (4-1) took to the circle for Chattanooga and was strong for the Lady Mocs.
Tiffany Baker scored Game 2's first run with a single into leftfield. Baker's hit brought in Stiles, who reached base on a base hit of her own..
Both offenses were quieted until the bottom of the fourth when Lipscomb was able to plate its first run of the game thanks to a Chattanooga error. With a runner on third and two outs, Mollie Mitchell hit a tapper back to Loudermilk. The pitcher's throw was wild though, allowing the runner to score from third, thus tying the game.
Lipscomb would add another run in the fifth off the bat of Courtney Billington. With two outs, the rightfielder hit a stand-up triple to right-center, bringing in Lauren Dortwegt to give the Bisons a 2-1 lead.
The lead would be insurmountable for UTC as the Lady Mocs' bats were unable to put another run on the board as Lipscomb swept the twin bill with a 3-1 victory in Game 2.
The Lady Mocs will now turn their eyes back to conference play as the team will host Appalachian State this weekend for a three-game series.
Game 1 will be on Friday, Apr. 10 at 6 p.m. and the teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at Noon.
Live stats and streaming video for the entire series will be available at GoMocs.com.
