Mocs Finish Undefeated on Season-Opening Weekend

(GOMOCS.COM) The Chattanooga Mocs wrapped up the first tournament of the season undefeated in Clermont, Fla., at the NTC Tournament after a 9-2 win over Bethune-Cookman. UTC improves to 5-0.

“It’s always great to go home with five wins,” head coach Frank Reed stated. “It was a good test for us to see where we are. We don’t want to get too excited about five games when we have 50-plus more to go. But we’ll take these wins and see how it plays out.”

Senior Sam Taylor led the squad with two hits. Junior Jesslyn Stockard marked a team-best nine putouts, while seniors Anyssa Robles (5) and Alyssa Taylor (4) followed.

The Wildcats went up 2-0, scoring a run in the top of the second and third. However, the Mocs answered by bringing in four runs in the bottom of the third.

It started with Sam Taylor singling. She advanced to second off a sacrifice bunt from Alyssa Taylor. Freshman Jordan Fortel walked. Then, senior Criket Blanco hit a double, bringing Sam Taylor and Fortel home.

Junior Jesslyn Stockard knocked a single leading Blanco and freshman Katie Corum to score.

The fifth inning featured another strong offensive performance by the Mocs, racking up five runs. Senior Amanda Ross, Sam Taylor, freshman Alyssa Coppinger, sophomore J.J. Hamill and Fortel all scored.

“We made a couple mistakes early in the first inning, and I was a little concerned,” Reed explained. “But we picked it up defensively. I was really pleased overall with our offense. All and all it was a good day for us.”

Sophomore Kailey Palazzolo finished her first complete game of the year with a strike out.

“Kailey pitched a really good ball game,” commented Reed. “She kept us in the game and only gave up the two runs, and one of them was by an error.”

UTC starts home action in the Chattanooga Spring Classic Feb. 19-21 against Dayton, Detroit Mercy, UT-Martin, IPFW and Wright State twice.