KENNESAW, Ga. --- The Chattanooga Mocs (1-0, 0-0) softball team kicked off the 2019 season in impressive fashion with a 6-3 victory over the reigning-MAC champion Ohio Bobcats (1-1, 0-0) during the first day of play at the Phyllis Rafter Memorial Tournament in Kennesaw, Ga., on Friday afternoon.

Chattanooga has now won four of its last five season openers and has defeated 13 of its last 15 MAC opponents.

Four true freshmen earned opening day starts for the Mocs, tying for the most since 2016, including pitcher Mariah Ramirez. Ramirez earned the win in a complete game performance.

GAME RECAP » Chattanooga 6, Ohio 3
Ohio opened up the scoring early, plating a run in the top of the first on a one-out double from Katie Yun and a two-out RBI single off the bat of Morgan Geno to take a 1-0 lead.

Chattanooga's Emily Coltharp started the home half of the first off with a walk before advancing to third on a wild pitch and a sacrifice bunt from Sidney Swantic. Aly Walker followed with a one-out RBI single to right field to tie things up 1-1.

UTC kept the first inning rally going after back-to-back walks from Emma Sturdivant and Gracey Kruse loaded the bases with one out. Katie Corum was hit by the second pitch of her at-bat to put the Mocs ahead 2-1. An OU throwing error and a Halie Williamson RBI groundout extended the lead to 4-1 after one.

Chattanooga would add to its lead in the bottom of the third when Amanda Beltran delivered a two-out RBI single to center, scoring Emma Sturdivant from third. Walker recorded her second hit and second RBI of the day with a single to right in the bottom of the fourth giving UTC a 6-1 advantage.

Freshman starting pitcher Mariah Ramirez (1-0) earned the nod on opening day and delivered with a stellar game in the circle during her collegiate debut. Ramirez tossed a complete game while allowing eight hits and just three earned runs. She struck out six, walked three, and allowed just one extra-base hit which was a first-inning double. It marked the first UTC freshman to earn a CG win on opening day since 2000.

Seven different Mocs recorded a hit as the team totaled eight on the day. Walker had the team's lone multi-hit game, finishing 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored. Kruse and Swantic each legged out infield singles in their debuts and both finished 1-for-2.

Alyssa Coppinger went 1-for-3 and registered the team's only extra-base hit with a double to left center in the bottom of the fifth. Emma Sturdivant came around to score twice and singled for her third-straight game (dating back to last season) during the win. Hayleigh Weissenbach added a pinch-hit single for the Mocs.
 
NOTABLE
- Junior Aly Walker finished 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored.. made 100^th career start… eighth multi-RBI game of career.
- Freshman Mariah Ramirez tossed CG and allowed eight hits and three earned runs… first UTC true freshman to earn CG win in season opener since 2000.
- Four true freshmen made collegiate debuts in win (Emily Coltharp, Sidney Swantic, Gracey Kruse & Mariah Ramirez).. ties for most on opening days since 2016.
- Chattanooga has won four of its last five season openers… 13 of its last 15 against MAC opponents.
 
UP NEXT
Chattanooga will continue play in the Phyllis Rafter Memorial Tournament tomorrow with games against Morehead State (10 a.m.) and Eastern Illinois (3 p.m.). Live stats are available on the schedule page located on GoMocs.com.
 
HOME GAME & TICKET INFO
The home slate begins 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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