CHATTANOOGA – The Chattanooga Mocs softball team will once again face late schedule changes due to forecasted weather, this time resulting in some shifting of game times of the Chattanooga Challenge held at Frost Stadium.

The Mocs will now open up their home schedule on Thursday against Tennessee Tech at 3 p.m. Two other neutral site games will follow UTC. All games Thursday will be held at Frost Stadium. The schedule for the rest of the weekend is anticipated to change due to the weather. For all updated game times, please visit the Tournament Central page.

Chattanooga is coming off a 2-2 opening weekend, claiming a 3-2 win over Morgan State and a 10-7 win over Detroit Mercy, before falling 8-0 to Liberty and 9-5 to Fairleigh Dickinson at the Dot Richardson NCSI in Clermont, Fla.

Emma Sturdivant led the Mocs over the weekend by going 5-for-9 (.556) in four games with a double, a triple and six runs batted in. She went a perfect 3-for-3 with five RBIs and a triple in Friday's win over Detroit Mercy.

Hayleigh Weissenbach chipped in on the offensive side by picking up a hit in all four games, finishing 5-for-14 (.357) with a double and three RBIs. The sophomore also stole a base in each of the first three games.

Brook Womack went 3-for-8 (.375) with a run scored and an RBI. Her lone RBI came in the opening game when she dropped in a single down the left field line, putting UTC ahead 3-2.

The pitching staff had its ups and downs in Clermont, but showed that the young talent has a bright future. All six pitchers on the roster made an appearance including four true freshmen. Freshman Alexa Veamoi made three appearances in relief and notched a pair of saves on Friday. She pitched a 5.0 innings and allowed only three hits while striking out two and walking four.

Freshman Michayla Kelly-Harvey picked up a win in her collegiate debut. She earned the win in relief when the Mocs went ahead over Detroit Mercy after she tossed 0.2 innings and allowed one hit and one run that was inherited.

Opponent previews for this weekend can be found below. Again, for the most up-to-date time changes, please visit the Tournament Central page.

Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles (0-4)

• 2017 Record: 16-30 (8-8 OVC)
• Newcomers: 7
• Key Players: INF Gabby LaSala (Jr.), P Leigh Ellen Thomas (Jr.)

Tennessee Tech began their season last weekend at the Plainsman Invitational in Auburn, Ala. The Golden Eagles went 0-4, but played tough competition very closely. TTU dropped a 6-4 game to Wichita State and a 3-0 contest to No. 14 Auburn before falling to Marshall 10-4 and Auburn 18-0 the following day.  
 
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (3-1)

• 2017 Record: 31-31 (10-13 C-USA)
• Newcomers: 5
• Key Players: INF Maddie Bowlds (Fr.), P Kelsey Aikey (So.)

WKU opened its season at the Gradner-Webb Invitational and finished the weekend 3-1. The Hilltoppers defeated Hampton 7-6 and 10-2 while taking down Youngstown State 17-6. They fell to tournament-host Gardner-Webb 5-4. Freshman Maddie Bowlds led WKU by going 7-for-10 with a double, triple and two RBIs.

Indiana State Sycamores (0-0)

• 2017 Record: 24-29 (8-18 MVC)
• Newcomers: 10
• Key Players: OF Becky Malchow (So.), 2B Leslie Sims (So.)

Indiana State begins its 2018 campaign in the Scenic City at the Chattanooga Challenge. ISU finished 2017 with a 24-29 overall record while concluding the Missouri Valley Conference 8-18. Sophomore Leslie Sims returns after leading the Sycamores as a freshman with a .368 batting average and a .404 slugging percentage.

Tennessee State Tigers (0-4)

• 2017 Record: 12-37 (2-19 OVC)
• Newcomers: 7
• Key Players: INF/C Sarah Snell (So.), P Lauren Powell (Jr.)

Tennessee State opened up their 25^th season as a program at the Troy Invitational last weekend in Troy, Ala. The Tigers went 0-4 but lost a one-run game to Alabama State and a two-run game to Valparaiso. Chattanooga defeated TSU on the road last year 6-5 in a midweek non-conference bout.

Sacred Heart Pioneers (0-0)

• 2017 Record: 23-28 (10-6 NEC)
• Newcomers: 7
• Key Players: OF Lauren Delgadillo (Sr.), INF Hailey Desrosiers (Jr.)

Sacred Heart will open their 2018 season at the Chattanooga Challenge this weekend. The Pioneers went 23-28 overall and 10-6 in the Northeast Conference last season. SHU made a deep run in the NEC Tournament and were picked to finish fourth in the NEC this season, their highest preseason ranking since 2012.