KENNESAW, Ga. --- On a cold, windy Sunday in Kennesaw, Ga., the Chattanooga Mocs softball team racked up 25 runs and 29 hits in a pair of run-rule victories over Morehead State and Kennesaw State during the final day of play at the Phyllis Rafter Memorial tournament in Kennesaw, Ga.

Chattanooga (5-0) used a four-run fifth and three-run sixth inning to pull away from Morehead State (0-4) in six-inning 10-2 victory.

UTC plated a school record 13 runs in the sixth inning against tournament-host Kennesaw State (1-4) on its way to a five-game tournament sweep after a 15-4, six-inning win.

Chattanooga's offensive attack came on late in each ball game as it combined to score 20 of its 25 runs during the fifth and sixth innings. UTC blasted three homeruns and five doubles against MSU before peppering KSU with 13 singles and just two extra-base hits.

GAME 1 BOX » Chattanooga 10, Morehead St. 2 (6)
For the third time on the weekend, Chattanooga opened up the game by scoring in the opening inning. Aly Walker sparked a two-out rally with a double to the left-center gap before Emma Sturdivant and Katie Corum followed with back-to-back RBI singles to give UTC an early 2-0 lead.

After a scoreless second and third inning, Chattanooga struck again in the fourth when Amanda Beltran lifted her second homerun of the season, a solo shot, over the left center wall to extend the lead to 3-0.

The offense continued its surge with a four-run fifth and a three-run sixth. In the fifth, Walker roped a two-RBI double before Sturdivant launched a two-run homerun to left to make it 10-2. An inning later, Sturdivant drove in a run with a grounder to the left side hole before Corum belted a two-run homer inside the left field foul pole.

Morehead State's two runs came in the bottom of the fifth on the help of four walks and a fielder's choice. Starting pitcher Celie Hudson saw her no-hit bid broken up with two outs in the fifth on a slow dribbler up the third base line. Hudson (2-0) earned the win after throwing six inning while allowing just one hit and two earned runs. She struck out seven including the final two hitters of the game.

Chattanooga exploded for 14 hits including six extra-base hits and three homeruns while four Mocs registered multi-hit games. The 3-4-5-6 (Walker, Sturdivant, Corum, Beltran) tandem for UTC finished a combined 10-for-16 with three homeruns and ten RBI during the victory.

Walker finished 3-for-4 with three doubles and two RBIs while scoring three times. Beltran ended up 3-for-4 with a homerun and an RBI while Corum delivered with a 2-for-4, homerun and three RBI performance.

Sturdivant went 2-for-4 with a homerun and four RBI while scoring twice. Alyssa Coppinger, Hayleigh Weissenbach, Gracey Kruse and Morgan Kazerooni all singled in the win.

GAME 2 BOX » Chattanooga 15, Kennesaw State 4 (6)
Chattanooga struck first with two runs in the top of the second to take an early 2-0 lead. With the bases loaded and one out, UTC went to Corum for a pinch-hit appearance.

Corum delivered with an RBI fielder's choice after a lengthy 13-pitch at-bat where she fouled off six-straight pitches in one stretch. Walker followed with an RBI single through the right side to score the game's second run.

Kennesaw State placed a run on the board in the home half of the second after a lead-off double led to a one-out RBI single. The Owls would tie the game at 2-2 and inning later on a sacrifice fly to deep center field.

KSU began the home side of the fifth with a walk and a stolen base, later advancing that runner to third with two outs. A fielding error allowed an unearned run to cross the plate and gave the home team their first lead of the game, 3-2.

Chattanooga responded in historic fashion. The offense posted a school record 13 runs in the top of the sixth inning on the help of eight hits. No errors were committed from the KSU defense.

Emily Coltharp roped a two-RBI single through the right side to get things started before Weissenbach lifted a sacrifice fly to center to give the Mocs a two-run lead at 5-3.

Walker and Sturdivant went back-to-back with RBI singles ahead of a Devan Brown bases loaded walk that extended the advantage to 8-3. Halie Williamson singled in a run before an RBI-inducing fielder's choice pushed it to 10-3.

With the bases loaded and two outs, Weissenbach cleared the bases with a triple to the left field fence. Strudivant capped the historic frame off two batters later with a two-RBI double, making it 15-3. KSU added a run in the home half, but couldn't push enough across to extend the game.

Mariah Ramirez (3-0) finished off her stellar weekend by allowing just five hits and two earned runs over 5.0 innings of work to earn the win. She struck out four and walked two while facing 23 batters.

Chattanooga totaled a season-high 15 hits with 13 coming as singles. Some notable performances include: Walker (3-for-3, 2 RBI), Sturdivant (4-for-5, 3 RBI), Weissenbach (1-for-1, 4 RBI), Coltharp (2-for-3, 3 R, 2 RBI), Coppinger (2-for-4, 2 R, RBI), Williamson (2-for-2, 3 R, RBI).

NOTABLE
- Chattanooga starts the season 5-0 for just the second time in program history… last was 7-0 start in 2016.
- 14 of the 17 available batters for UTC registered at least one hit in the tournament… 13 with at least two… 10 with at least 3 or more.
- Pitching staff combined to go 5-0 on the weekend with a 1.91 ERA in 33.0 innings… limited opposition to .218 batting average… allowed just nine earned runs.
- Offense batted .350 (49-for-140) for the weekend… recorded 14 extra-base hits… five homeruns… eight doubles… .529% slugging percentage… .429% on-base percentage.
 
UP NEXT
Chattanooga opens up its home slate this upcoming Friday, February 15 for the Chattanooga Challenge. Season tickets & single game tickets are now on-sale at GoMocs.com or by calling the box office at (423) 266-MOCS. Season tickets (over $30 in savings) cover all 20 games including both the Chattanooga Challenge and Frost Classic tournaments.


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