GREENSBORO, N.C. --- Chattanooga Mocs senior Taylor Long struck out the 500^th batter over her career and led UTC to a 3-2 hard-fought road victory over UNCG Sunday afternoon at UNCG Softball Stadium.
 
The Mocs used timely hitting, clean defense, and a complete-game effort in the circle to secure the Southern Conference win and move to 19-27-1 overall and 7-11 in league play.
 
Long went the distance, striking out seven batters across seven innings while allowing just four hits and two earned runs. Her second strikeout of the contest marked the 500th of her Chattanooga career and her seventh ended the game. Despite battling through traffic on the bases, Long made key pitches when needed and held the Spartans scoreless over the final four innings.
 
The Mocs struck first in the third inning, capitalizing on pressure on the basepaths to plate the game's opening run. Annika Segedi singled and stole second. Anna Dovey drew a walk and Abi Bunt reached on hit by pitch to load the bases with two out. Jade Gainer reached on a fielder's choice, but an error at third resulted in a score for the Mocs to make it 1-0.
 
UNCG answered with two runs in the bottom of the frame to take the lead.
 
Anna Dovey tied the game in the fifth inning with a solo home run to deep center field, her second of the season, before Chattanooga pushed ahead for good in the sixth. Zoe Wright delivered the go-ahead RBI with a single up the middle to score Chloe Lackey, who finished the day with a hit, two walks, a stolen base, and a run scored.
 
Abi Bunt led the offense by going 2-for-3 with a double, while Segedi chipped in a hit, a stolen base, and a run. The Mocs finished with seven hits on the afternoon and was aggressive on the bases with three steals.
 
The bottom of the seventh was filled with drama. The first two UNCG batters walked while the next struck out swinging. A hit up the middle tipped off Long's glove but was gathered up by Wright who tagged second before the runner slid in for the second out. With a 2-2 count, Long struck out the final batter swinging for the win.
 
With the win, Chattanooga handed UNCG just its fourth conference loss of the season and snapped a six-game skid.
 
The Mocs will look to carry the momentum forward next weekend when Furman comes to the Scenic City for the final series of the regular season. Saturday is Mental Health Awareness Day. Fans are encouraged to wear green. Sunday, Chattanooga bids farewell to nine seniors in their final regular season game at home.
 
Chattanooga is host to the 2026 Southern Conference Softball Championship May 6-9 at Frost Stadium.
 
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