CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. --- The Chattanooga softball team got off to a good start with runs in the top of the first, but Austin Peay battled back and took a 7-3 decision from the Mocs in UTC's final non-conference game of the regular season in Clarksville.
 
Both team rattled off nine hits in the game, but the Govs were able to move around the bases to get the win. Emily Coltharp and Jayce Purdy each had two hits in the game while Acelynn Sellers, Kaili Phillips and Riley Kokinda all recorded doubles.
 
Chattanooga got the scoring started early with a pair of runs in the first. Phillips led off the game and was hit by the pitch a team-best ninth time this season. Coltharp bunted back to the pitcher and both runners were safe. A passed ball advances the runners and Olivia Lipari singled to the shortstop, scoring Phillips from third.
 
Acelynn Sellers had a sac bunt to move Lipari on second and Purdy followed with a single to center field to send Coltharp home. Chattanooga loaded the bases with one out, but the Govs got two outs to end the threat with the Mocs leading 2-0.
 
Austin Peay wiped away the Mocs advantage, however, in the bottom of the inning with three runs on a passed ball, double and single.
 
Phillips doubled off the fence in left center in the second with one out and reached third as Coltharp reached on an error. Coltharp stole second and the ball flew high sending Phillips home from third. However, the ball was caught and Phillips was thrown out at the plate to keep it a 3-2 lead for the Govs.
 
Austin Peay added another couple of runs in the bottom of the second to spread its lead to 5-2 on a pair of singles.
 
The Mocs got a run back in the third to make it a 5-3 game. Sellers roped a lead off hit down the left field line for a double. Purdy, with a sac bunt, moved her to third. Presley Williamson reached first on an error, scoring Sellers to make it a two-run game.
 
The Govs added a pair of runs in the bottom of the third on a sac fly and a single for the final 7-3 score.
 
Chattanooga was 9-for-28 with three walks, three runs and three extra base hits. Izzy Alley picked up the loss, pitching one-and-a-third innings. Taylor Long came in for the end of the second and was lifted in the third for Alyssa Lavdis who finished the game.
 
Chattanooga returns to Chattanooga to host UNCG Saturday and Sunday at Frost Stadium. It will be the Mocs first game this season at Frost and the first since the installation of the artificial surface.
 
Saturday will be Breast Cancer Awareness and fans are encouraged to wear pink for the double header. Also on Saturday will be "Bark in the Park" and hot dogs will be on sale for $1.00. On Sunday, the first 75 fans will receive a SoCon Championship replica ring in celebration of the Mocs 2022 Southern Conference Tournament title.
 
Tickets are on sale at GoMocs.com or the Frost Stadium ticket booth one hour prior to first pitch each day.
 
SCORING SUMMARY
T1st: Lipari singled to shortstop, RBI; Phillips scored. [0-1]
T1st: Purdy singled to centerfield, RBI; Coltharp scored. [0-2]
B1st: Cambell advanced to second; Osowski advanced to third; Zuege scored on a passed ball. [1-2]
B1st: Apiag doubled to left field, 2 RBI; Campbell scored; Osowski scored. [3-2]
B2nd: Zuege singled to shortstop, advanced to second on the throw, RBI; Harkleroad scored. [4-2]
B2nd: Osowski singled up the middle, RBI; Zuege scored. [5-2]
T3rd: Williamson reached on an error by ss, RBI; Sellers scored. [5-3]
B3rd: Weinzapfel flied out to lf, SF, RBI; Sheridan advanced to second on a throwing error by 2b; Apiag scored on the error; unearned. [6-3]
B3rd: Suits singled up the middle, advanced to second on the throw, RBI; Sheridan scored. [7-3]