CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. --- The Chattanooga softball team swept both games on Day One of the Chattanooga Challenge at Frost Stadium to improve to 3-4 overall. After taking care of Ball State 11-7 in the opener for UTC, the Mocs scored a combined 18 runs on 22 hits with three doubles and a pair of home runs.
 
CHATTANOOGA 7, WESTERN KENTUCKY 5/5 INNINGS - RAIN
Chattanooga held off a late Western Kentucky run and earned the win after five innings after the game was called in the top of the sixth due to rain.
 
The Hilltoppers got on the board first in the top of the second, but the Mocs responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning. Addy Keylon's fly to center was dropped by the fielder and scored Kailey Snell and Kendall Forsythe to make it 2-1.
 
With bases loaded in the third, Forsythe singled to center, scoring Abi Pikas from third for UTC's third run of the game.
 
In the fourth UTC added three more runs on a sac fly and two-run homer. Keylon doubled down the left field line and advanced to third. She then reached third on a ground out to the shortstop. Alyssa Orlando pinch hit for Pikas and scored Keylon from third on a sacrifice fly to left field.
 
Acelynn Sellers singled then reached second on a wild pitch. Kaili Phillips hit a deep home run over the fence in center field to make it a 6-1 game.
 
Western Kentucky loaded the bases on a pair of singles and a walk. A single up the middle scored two runs to cut the Mocs lead to 6-3. A pinch hit single to right scored two more runs and Chattanooga's lead fell to 6-5.
 
The Mocs added one more run in the fifth. Snell singled then advanced to scoring position on a wild pitch then made it to third on a passed ball. Jayce Purdy reached on a fielder's choice to the pitcher scoring Snell for the final 7-5 score.
 
The Hilltoppers had a runner on second when the game was delayed. It was later called due to field conditions and continuing rain.
 
UTC had seven runs on eight hits. Pikas was 2-for-3 and scored a run. Phillips was 1-for-2 with a home run and two RBI. Orlando, Forsythe and Purdy each added an RBI.
 
Randi Drinnon and Kelsey Schmidt each had two RBI for Western Kentucky who scored five runs on six hits.
 
CHATTANOOGA 11, BALL STATE 7
Chattanooga came away with an 11-7 win over Ball State in the Mocs opening game of the Chattanooga Challenge Friday afternoon. UTC retook the lead with six runs in the bottom of the sixth highlighted by a three-run homer off the bat of Olivia Lipari.
 
Kendall Forsythe got the scoring started for the Mocs with a pinch hit double, driving in Addy Keylon from second in the third inning.
 
With a 5-2 lead heading into the sixth, the Mocs saw Ball State put five runs up on a pair of home runs to get out front 7-5.
 
Chattanooga didn't stay down long, however. Keylon walked to start the inning. Camryn Cernuto reached on a fielding error, putting runners and first and second. Zoe Wright launched a shot to right center, driving in both runners to tie the game 7-7 with nobody out.
 
After a pitching change by the Cardinals, Acelynn Sellers sacrified Wright to third and Kaili Phillips drew a walk. She stole second and was sent home on a three-run shot off the bat of Lipari to give the Mocs back the lead at 10-7.
 
Kailey Snell made it over to third on an error after reaching on a hit. She was sent home on a single by Cernuto for the final 11-7 score.
 
Lipari was 2-for-2 with three RBI on her home run. Snell went 3-for-4 with two RBI and Cernuto was 2-for-4 with two RBI. Chattanooga had 14 hits and gave up 11 to the Cardinals.
 
Alyssa Lavdis got the start and went 4.1 innings, allowing two runs on seven hits and struck out three. Peja Goold struck out three and Taylor Long picked up her first win of the season, pitching 1.1 innings with no hits and no runs and struck out three.
 
Jazmyne Armendariz was 2-for-4 for Ball State with three RBI and Jessica Hoffman added two more hits on four at-bats with a pair of runs batted in.
 
Chattanooga returns to action Saturday at 3:00 p.m. against Ball State and closes out the day against Murray State at 5:30 p.m. Follow all the action and check for schedule changes online at GoMocs.com.
 
FOLLOW CHATTANOOGA SOFTBALL
For the most up-to-date information and news regarding Chattanooga Softball, please follow @GoMocsSB on Twitter & Instagram and Chattanooga Softball on Facebook.