CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - WIth less than a week before the season starts, GoMocs.com is continuing its outlook of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga softball team. The preview began on Jan. 31 and will continue through Wedenesday getting fans of the Lady Mocs ready for the season.

Friday, the Lady Mocs begin defence their three-straight Southern Conference Regular Season tiltes against Florida Atlantic at noon in the National Training Center Invitational. Then, three ranked opponents, Michigan, Georgia and Oklahoma, are on the slate for Chattanooga in Clermont, Fla. To roundout the three-day event, the squad battles UCF on Sunday.

Today, the outlook contains an in depth look at the corner infielders. Head coach Frank Reed discusses his first and third basemen with GoMocs.com and the video can be accessed by clicking the link above. The next installment will look at the middle infielders on Monday.

Jan. 31 - Season Overview/Schedule
Feb. 2 - Pitching Staff
Feb. 4 - Catchers
Feb. 6 - Corner Infield
Feb. 8 - Middle Infield
Feb. 10 - Outfield

Part Four - First Base

Junior two-time All-SoCon performer, Michelle Fuzzard (Huntington Beach, Calif.), anchors first base and is among the leaders of the team's offense. Another addition to the Lady Mocs is freshman Kasey Tydingco (Chino Hills, Calif.), who brings a left-handed bat into the lineup.

Fuzzard has improved her numbers in each of her two seasons with Chattanooga and continues to play stout defensively. With being one of the top players on the team, she is developing into a leader on and off the field.

"She has worked really hard over the past two seasons, not only as a first baseman, but as a pitcher and hitter," said Reed. "I think Michelle is on track after the fall to have her best year yet."

Tydingco has come in and worked hard in fall practice. She brings speed and can get out of the box quickly causing problems for the opposing team's defense.

"I think that Kasey is going to add some dimension to what we do, especially if we decide to use Michelle more as a pitcher," said Reed. "She brings a lot of versatility with being able to slap the ball for a hit and is a great base runner."

Third Base

Finding a replacement for a four-year standout Toni Hutchison at third base may be difficult, but junior Tiffany Baker and freshman Ashley Canara are ready to excel at the position.

"It is never easy filling in the shoes of someone like Toni, a four-year starter and mainstay," said Reed. " In the past, if it was hit to Toni, then you chalk it up as an out. We need stability there and I think that we can get it."

Baker, a second baseman in her first two seasons, will transition over to the hot corner. In last season's opening game of the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional, she injured her ankle and third base will allow for her to cover less ground.

"She feels very confident moving over to third, half the battle with being at third is thinking that you can do it," said Reed. "She has the offensive numbers that we will find a place for her in the lineup on a day-to-day basis."

Canara is another left-handed hitter that was brought in this season. She has the power to put up offensive numbers, but coming in as a freshman, has a lot to learn. She could be a big-time contributor off the bench this spring.

"Ashley has shown bright spots with being a tall kid that covers a lot of ground and is everything that you are looking for in a corner infielder," said Reed. "She may have the most picturesque swing on the team. One thing that she has worked on is attacking and challenging the pitcher by being a more aggressive hitter."

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