NASHVILLE, Tenn. --- The Chattanooga Mocs used a fast start, a four-run sixth inning, and a dominant combined pitching effort to defeat Tennessee State 9-3 on Wednesday evening at Tiger Field. With the win, Chattanooga improves to 11-15-1 on the season.
 
Anna Dovey provided the game's biggest moment, drilling a grand slam in the sixth inning to break things open and push UTC's lead to 9-3. Dovey finished the day 1-for-4 with four RBI, all coming on the homer.
 
Chattanooga jumped ahead early with three runs in the first inning, aided by a stolen base from Ava Cowart, a wild pitch, and a passed ball. The Mocs added a run in the second and another in the fifth before Tennessee State rallied to make it 5-3 in the bottom of the fifth.
 
UTC immediately answered with its decisive four-run sixth.
 
Cowart was a catalyst all evening, going 2-for-3, stealing a base, scoring two runs, and reaching four times.

Baileigh Pitts added two hits and two runs scored, while Annika Segedi collected two hits as well.
 
Starting pitcher Taylor Long turned in another strong outing, striking out nine over five innings, allowing just two hits and one earned run. Long kept the Tigers off balance, retiring the side in order twice and working out of multiple jams.
 
Reliever Emery Bales earned a two-inning save, giving up just one hit while striking out two and stranding runners in scoring position in both the sixth and seventh frames.