STATESBORO, Ga. - The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga softball team took two key Southern Conference games against Georgia Southern at Eagle Field on Saturday. The Lady Mocs scored five unanswered runs in the first game to overcome a three-run first inning deficit. In game two, junior Tiffany Baker (East Ridge, Tenn.) blasted a solo home run, which was the only run that junior Nikki Waters (Soddy Daisy, Tenn.) needed for the victory.

"When you spot someone three runs and your number one pitcher struggles," said head coach Frank Reed. "I would have never thought that Brooke would have lasted as long as she did. I never thought that we would have battled back, but nobody really stressed anymore than I did. When we got that one run [in the fourth], I thought that we could crawl back into it and the kids found a way. We got some timely hits, but had some opportunities early. We were able to slam the door, when we brought Kandice [Irwin] in."

Chattanooga improved its record to 30-9 on the year and 11-0 in the SoCon, while Georgia Southern fell to 20-16 and 6-4 in conference play as 562 spectators watched the doubleheader.

In two save situations, junior Kandice Irwin (Knoxville, Tenn.) registered her 10th and 11th saves on the season. She notched a three-inning save in game one, while retiring the final batter in the second game for her seventh strikeout of the day.

The first victory of the day went to senior Brooke Loudermilk (Locust Grove, Ga.), who fought hard after giving up three runs in the first to pitch four innings and strikeout three. Waters fanned two in her 6.2 innings of work.

Driving in the runs for Chattanooga was senior Tia Blosser (Knoxville, Tenn.) with a two-RBI double in game one, while sophomore Jessica Traxler (Chino Hills, Calif.), junior Lyndsey Stiles (Hixson, Tenn.) and Blosser each recorded three hits on the day.

The Lady Mocs conclude the series tomorrow with a single game beginning at 1 p.m. with live statistics and audio available on GoMocs.com. Chattanooga returns to Frost Stadium on Wednesday for a doubleheader against UAB with the first pitch set for 5 p.m.

Game One: Chattanooga 5, Georgia Southern 3

The UTC softball team responded being down three in the first and a sacrifice fly by Baker put Chattanooga up 4-3 in the fifth for good as Loudermilk notched her conference leading 15th victory of the season and Irwin closed game number 10 this year.

In the circle, Loudermilk pitched four innings and used her experience to get through a rough first inning as the Eagles put up three runs on four hits. Irwin closed the door on Georgia Southern striking out six and only gave up two hits for her 10th save of the season.

At the top of the order, junior Lyndsey Stiles (Hixson, Tenn.) beat out two singles and Blosser also registered two in the contest.

Leading off the game for Georgia Southern was Nina Iduate, who leads the Sothern Conference in batting average, with an infield single. Iduate scored on a double down the left field line by Megan Smith, who advanced to second on the throw.

The second run of the game came across following a Stephanie Russo single through the left side and advanced a base, while Tarashuck put the Eagles on top 3-0 via a sacrifice fly to left center.

After two scoreless innings, senior Kaiti Kelley (Chattanooga, Tenn.) was hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a fielder's choice by Blosser that was bobbled by the second baseman. Another hit by pitch from pitcher Brianna Streetmon loaded the bases for Chattanooga. With two outs, Traxler hit a liner that went off a diving third baseman to score Blosser from third, but that was all the Lady Mocs would get in the fourth.

Freshman Kasey Tydingco (Fairfield, Calif.) started the fifth by reaching on a hit by pitch and went to second on a wild pitch. Following a Stiles single to third and with speed on the bases, Kelley singled to the catcher loading the bases. This time a Blosser single to right would score two as the outfielder was unable to make a clean play.

The sore was knotted at three with Baker up and she delivered with a sacrifice fly in foul territory down the left field line scoring Kelley from third as the Lady Mocs took their first lead of the contest.

In the seventh, the Lady Mocs added an insurance run on a suicide squeeze by Waters scoring Blosser for a 5-3 advantage.

For the Eagles, Streetmon threw a complete game striking out three, while Iduate and Jenny Side each had two hits on the afternoon.

Game Two: Chattanooga 1, Georgia Southern 0

A solo home run by Baker, number 11 on the season, was all that the pitching duo of Waters and Irwin needed to post a 1-0 victory over the Eagles in Satesboro, Ga. Chattanooga would register seven hits during the contest as Baker and Traxler each had two.

"It was a low and inside pitch and not the typical home run [that I have hit]," said Baker. "I originally thought that it might have been too high."

Pitching for the Lady Mocs was Waters, who threw 6.2 innings and struck out two only yielding four hits. With a tough out in Iduate due up, Irwin came on for the save with two outs in the seventh and struck out Kayla Brooks for her 11th save of the season.

"The curveball and changeup were not as effective today," said Waters. "We did not throw them as much today and ended up sticking with the fast ball. They [Georgia Southern] were very aggressive at the plate swinging at first pitches allowing us to get some quick outs."

Through the first two innings, a pitching dual between Waters and Megen Smith ensued as all 12 hitters were retired in order.

Leading off the third, Traxler doubled to left center and Tydinco singled up the middle to put runner on the corners and one out, but a ground out and pop up ended the inning for Chattanooga.

"I felt really good today," said Traxler, who is breaking out of a mini-slump. "I just kept telling myself to see the ball and hit it hard. I was not too aggressive or anxious, so I just stayed back and went with the pitch."

The Eagles would have two base runners in the bottom of the inning at first and second thanks to a single and an error, but Waters retired the side on a groundout to the pitcher.

In the fourth inning with one out, Baker hit her 29th career home run to left centerfield to put the Lady Mocs on top 1-0.

From there, Waters never struggled only allowing one Eagle to reach base in each of the final four innings.

With the pressure on after an error by the shortstop on a bad hop from the dirt, coach Reed decided to go with his closer Irwin to retire the final batter with a strikeout.

For Georgia Southern, Iduate beat out two hits and Smith threw a complete game striking out six.