MOBILE, Ala. - The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Softball team swept Ball State and No. 22 South Alabama in back-to-back victories on Friday night.
The Mocs (8-4) dominated the Cardinals, 6-2, before outplaying the nationally-ranked Jaguars, 3-1. UTC's win over South Alabama ended the Jaguars seven-game winning streak, and is Chattanooga's first win against a nationally-ranked opponent since 2011.
Game 1: Chattanooga 6, Ball State 2
The Mocs struggled to finish offensively in the first three innings, but defensive teamwork and three strikeouts from Taylor Deason kept the Cardinals from finding an offensive rhythm of their own.
Ball State took a 1-0 lead at the bottom of the second, as Cardinal Stuedemann homered to left center.
The score remained 1-0 until the top of the fourth. Still pushing to connect at the bat, Sarah Beth Roberts got the momentum going as she doubled to left center. Nicole Osterman moved Roberts to third with a ground out to second base. Criket Blanco knocked Roberts in off a ground out to the shortstop, evening the score, 1-1.
Ball State recaptured the lead in the bottom of the fifth thanks to an RBI single to right field from Dabkowski. Sophomore left fielder Taylor Cooley scored on the play after drawing a one-out walk and then stealing second base.
The Mocs rallied for five runs in the top of the seventh. J.J. Hamill led off the inning with a single to second base, and advanced to second off a wild pitch. Sam Taylor drove Hamill in doubling to left center.
Keeping the energy in motion, Alyssa Taylor brought in Taylor (Sam) as she singled up the middle. Rattling Ball State's defense Taylor (Alyssa) advanced to second off a bad throw.
A frustrated Ball State would switch out pitcher Stienback for Wilmes, but it wouldn't stop the Mocs as Osterman, advancing off a throwing error by the Cardinals second baseman, helped Taylor (Alyssa) score, putting the Mocs up 4-2.
Blanco capped off UTC's run with a homer powered out to left field. Also bringing home Osterman, Blanco extended Chattanooga's lead, 6-2..
Game 2: Chattanooga 3, No. 22 South Alabama 1
Keeping its drive going, UTC snapped No. 22 University of South Alabama softball's seven-game winning streak in their second matchup of the South Alabama Invitational.
The Jaguars opened with a 1-0 lead, but the Mocs responded with another homer from Blanco as her two-run shot plated Osterman to set the score 2-1.
Osterman slammed UTC's second home run of the game and third of the night to center field extending the Mocs lead, 3-1 in the top of the sixth.
Cori Jennings (2-1) struck out five and allowed only seven hits, while walking four, keeping the Jaguars at only one scored run.
UTC looks to extend Friday's results with a pair of contests on Saturday. It opens versus Jacksonville at 12:15 ET, and the second against Sam Houston at 4:45 p.m.
For more information about Chattanooga Softball, check back with www.gomocs.com, and follow the Mocs on twitter at @gomocssb.
