Courtesy: Jeff Hurndon
Senior Brittany Eason hit her second home run of the season in game one against Elon.
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Elon at Chattanooga
April 17, 2010 |
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Chattanooga, Tenn. (Frost Stadium)
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| Team |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
R |
H |
E |
| ELON (29-11, 12-4) |
0 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
4 |
1 |
| UTC (32-11, 12-1) |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
7 |
1 |
WP: Erin O'Shea (12-4) LP: Brooke Loudermilk (15-8)
S: Kari Pervell (2)
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Elon at Chattanooga
April 17, 2010 |
|
|
Chattanooga, Tenn. (Frost Stadium)
|
| Team |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
R |
H |
E |
| ELON (30-11, 13-4) |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
7 |
13 |
2 |
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UTC (32-12, 12-2)
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
1 |
6 |
8 |
1 |
Game Notes:
-512 spectators made their way out to Frost Stadium for the critical doubleheader with Elon.
-Junior Tiffany Baker hit her 13th on the season and career 31st.
-Junior Lauren Flores regained her confidence notched a hit in both contests to extend a five-game hitting streak
-Freshman Kasey Tydingco singled in both games and drove in a run in the second.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga softball team lost two one-run heartbreakers to Elon, falling 3-2 in game one and 7-6 in game two. On the day, Chattanooga had 15 hits, but left 10 batters on base. Junior Nikki Waters (Soddy Daisy, Tenn.) led the team on the day with three hits, two of them in game one.
With the two losses in the pivotal series, Chattanooga drops to 32-12 and 12-2 in the Southern Conference, while Elon improves their record to 30-11 and 13-4 in the conference.
Adding to the offense was junior Tiffany Baker (East Ridge, Tenn.), who drove in three runs on her 13th home run of the year in game two that knotted the score at three. Junior Lauren Flores (Fort Ogelthorpe, Ga.) had one hit in each game to improve her latest hitting streak to five games.
The Lady Mocs continue the crucial series against conference foe Elon tomorrow at 2 p.m. at Frost Stadium. The squad is not back at home until May 8-9 to conclude SoCon action against College of Charleston.
Game 1: Elon 3, Chattanooga 2
The UTC softball team scored the first run of the game, but was unable to overcome Elon's timely hitting. Juniors Lyndsey Stilies (Hixson, Tenn.) and Waters led the team each having a 2-for-3 performance while senior Brittany Eason (Chattanooga, Tenn.) and Waters drove in both of Chattanooga's runs.
Starting pitcher senior Brooke Loudermilk (Locust Grove, Ga.) went five innings while striking out seven and giving up three hits and two earned runs. Junior Kandice Irwin (Knoxville, Tenn.) allowed only two base runners and struck out two batters in two innings of relief.
Stiles began the game with an infield single, and advanced to second on a high throw from the first baseman. Senior Kaiti Kelley (Chattanooga, Tenn.) followed by grounding out to the second baseman progressing Stiles to third
After senior Tia Blosser (Knoxville, Tenn.) popped up to the shortstop, Baker walked to put runners on the corners. Waters followed with a single through the right side to bring Stiles home.
The Phoenix took the lead in the second with a two-run home run by Kaitlyn Piazzolla. Elon scored another run the next inning on a sacrifice fly for a 3-1 lead.
UTC got back on the scoreboard in the fifth when Eason drove a 1-0 pitch to center field that the center fielder was able to get a glove on, but the ball popped out of her glove and over the fence. It was Eason's second home run of the season, and the first since the first game of the season.
The Lady Mocs threatened to tie the game when freshman Kasey Tydingco (Fairfield, Calif.) followed the home run with a single through the right side. Stiles laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runner into scoring position, but that was as close as UTC would get to tie the game as Elon lead 3-2 after five.
Erin O'Shea started in the circle for the Phoenix going six innings, striking out five and giving up six hits. Kari Pervell pitched the seventh to pick up her second save of the season. At the plate, Hannah Shelton and Piazzolla both went 1-for-2, with Piazzolla driving in two runs.
Game 2: Elon 7, Chattanooga 6
The Lady Mocs bats came alive in the sixth to take the lead, but they were unable to keep Elon's bats quiet as a grand slam by Pizzolla in the top of the seventh put the Phoenix up for good en route to a 7-6 victory. Eight Chattanooga batters recorded a hit with Baker and Tydingco driving in three and two runs, respectively.
Starting on the rubber for Chattanooga was Waters, going 4.2 innings and giving up six hits, two earned runs and striking out one. Irwin pitched the next two innings, giving up five hits and two earned runs.
Loudermlik came in to pitch in the seventh after Irwin allowed the lead off batter to reach base. She went 0.1 innings and allowed the game-winning home run before being pulled in favor of Waters.
The Phoenix started the scoring in the third with a deep blast over the left field fence by Emerald Graham that plated two runs and gave Elon a 2-0 lead.
The Phoenix threatened in the next inning after Waters hit two batters. With runners at second and third, a diving catch by Flores with two out put an end to the inning and the threat.
Elon's Piazzolla lead off the sixth with a home run to left field giving the Phoenix a 3-0 lead.
UTC got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the sixth as Kelly reached base when the first baseman could not handle the shortstop's throw. Blosser followed by reaching base on an error by the shortstop when she misplayed the ball.
Baker came up to bat with two runners on base and delivered with a three-run shot to right centerfield. Waters followed by singling up the middle and Flores reached base on a fielders' choice. After freshman Sara Poteat (Thomaston, Ga.) popped up to the shortstop, junior pinch hitter Della Harrison (Nashville, Tenn.) singled to left field to advance the runner to second.
Chattanooga took the lead on a single from Tydingco that brought home Flores and advanced Harrison to second. After walking Stiles to load the bases, sophomore pinch hitter Jenni Martin (East Ridge, Tenn.) was able to draw a base on balls to score a run and give the Lady Mocs a 5-3 lead.
The lead would not last for long as Elon got two quick hits and a walk to load the bases. Piazzolla belted a 0-1 pitch to left field for a grand slam, her second home run of the game and third on the day. The blast gave the Phoenix a 7-5 lead.
Lauren Taylor started in the circle for Elon going six innings, recording the last out in the seventh to pick up the save. Taylor gave up eight hits, one earned run, and allowed two walks. Kari Pervell came on in relief going one inning, allowing no hits and five walks, but received the win.
At the plate, Piazolla and Graham led the Phoenix with five and two runs batted in, respectively. Tomeka Watson led the team with three hits.
