CHATTANOOGA --- After opening up Southern Conference play last weekend away from home, the Chattanooga Mocs softball team welcomes the defending-league champion UNCG Spartans to Frost Stadium in a matchup of the conference's only top 100 teams.

Chattanooga (23-8, 2-1 SoCon) entered the week No. 93 in the latest official NCAA RPI rankings while UNCG (17-12, 1-2 SoCon) fell to No. 98 after dropping two out of three games to Samford last weekend. The Spartans were previously the highest-rated SoCon team at No. 60.

UTC earned a series win in Greenville, S.C., last weekend over the Furman Paladins to open conference action. The team earned 3-2 (8) and 9-0 (6) wins on Saturday before dropping the finale, 2-0, on Sunday afternoon.

UNCG downed Samford by run-rule fashion in game one, 9-0 (5), before the Bulldogs rallied to win the series behind 5-2 and 7-4 victories in game's two and three. It marked the first time the Spartans suffered a series loss at home since 2016.

All three games of the highly anticipated series will be broadcasted LIVE on ESPN3 and through the ESPN App platform. Links are available at GoMocs.com under the softball schedule page.

More information including promotions, Chattanooga notes, opponent previews and more is below.
 
SERIES INFORMATION
Jim Frost Stadium – Chattanooga, Tenn.
GM1 Saturday, Mar. 30 – 1 p.m.          (ESPN3) (STATS)
GM2 Saturday, Mar. 30 – 3 p.m.          (ESPN3) (STATS)
GM3 Sunday, Mar. 31 – 2 p.m.            (ESPN3) (STATS)
 
TICKETS & PROMOTIONS (BUY)
SATURDAY – Receive ½ off tickets to the doubleheader at Chattanooga Football's 'Fan Fest' Saturday morning held at Finley Stadium. $1 hot dogs available at concessions during both games of the DH.

SUNDAY – 'Sunday Funday' will take place at the ballpark. Kids in attendance can play catch on the field, run the bases and snag autographs from the team post-game.

UTC will also host 'Staff Appreciation Day'. All current faculty and staff can receive one (1) complimentary ticket to Sunday's game with the option to purchase additional tickets at a discounted price of $4 each.

Both the complimentary and additional tickets can be purchased during normal box office hours in McKenzie Arena or at the Frost Stadium gate the day of the game.

Tickets will be available for purchase at the stadium box office on the day of the game. Frost Stadium is a *CASH ONLY* facility. UTC's 'Clear Bag Policy' will be in effect.
 
CHATTANOOGA NOTABLES | NOTES
- Chattanooga is 23-8 (.742) overall... 23 wins are T22nd most in NCAA DI.. win % ranks T27th.. 23 wins before April T3rd-most in Reed era.
- Team ERA of 2.44 ranks 47th in NCAA DI.. 1st in SoCon.. only 16 teams including UTC carry 2.44 ERA's or better in 205.0+IP in DI.. 72 earned runs allowed in 206.2IP.. held opponents to 2 runs or less 17x.
- Mariah Ramirez (Fr., P) is 10-0 with a 2.43 ERA to begin her college career.. one of only 3 freshmen in NCAA DI with 10+ wins & 0 losses.
- Emily Coltharp (Fr., SS) enters the weekend on 9-gm hit streak.. 3 multi-hit games during that span.. scored a run in 6 of the 9 games.
- Amanda Beltran (Sr., C) has been HBP 22x in her career.. all-time leader at UTC.. 21 career HRs is currently T10th all-time.
- Aly Walker (Jr., OF) ranks 3rd in SoCon with .376 (35-for-93) average.. 2nd in OBP (.487).. 3rd in runs scored (26).. 4th in hits (35).
 
UNCG SPARTANS (17-12, 1-2 SoCon) | STATS
Notable players: Marisa Sholtes, Sr.-1B (.362/8HR/23RBI); Makenna Matthijs, So.-OF (.345/5HR/20RBI); Gabi Howard, Fr.-INF (.326/6HR/16RBI); Stephanie Bryden, Sr.-P (12-6/2.66ERA/120K/100.0IP)

UNCG, the defending conference champs and preseason favorites, features an explosive offense that ranks among the nation's best. The offense ranks 25^th in NCAA DI in strikeout-to-walk ratio (2.98), 26^th in homeruns per game (1.21), 34^th in slugging percentage (.489) and 46^th in doubles per game (1.55).

Marisa Sholtes leads the attack with eight homeruns and 23 RBI while batting .362 for the season. Makenna Matthijs has homered five times and has driven in 20 behind a .345 average while Gabi Howard adds six long balls, 16 RBI and a .326 batting clip to the mix.

In addition to the high-powered offense, Stephanie Bryden has been impressive in the circle, pitching to a 12-6 record with a 2.66 ERA in 2019. In 100.0 innings pitched this season, Bryden ranks 24^th in the nation with 120 strikeouts.  


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