Mocs Softball Coach Frank Reed Collects 999th Career Win as UTC Beats Lipscomb
Nashville, Tenn. – In its first extra-innings game of the season, the Chattanooga Mocs softball team rallied for six unanswered runs to defeat the Lipscomb Lady Bisons, 7-4 in nine innings on Wednesday night. The victory is the eighth-straight win for the Mocs and is Head Coach Frank Reed’s 999th career win, putting him only one away from his 1,000th triumph.
The Mocs’ offense (25-8, 6-0 SoCon was led by freshman J.J. Hamill, who blasted out a two-out, three-run long ball to tie the game and give Chattanooga the opportunity to steal the game.
Defensively, UTC was paced by first baseman Jesslyn Stockard, who recorded 13 of the team’s 27 putouts. Third baseman, Sarah Beth Roberts also helped the defensive efforts with a squad-best five assists.
On the mound, Chattanooga saw a collected effort from all three of its pitchers Cori Jennings, Taylor Deason, and Kailey Palazzolo. Jennings opened and directed the defense for four innings, giving up only two walks. Deason relieved Jennings in the bottom of the fifth, and threw for 3.0 frames. The senior faced 13 batters and ultimately garnered the victory, improving to 10-3. Palazzolo pitched the last two innings, allowing only one hit against seven batters.
After two scoreless innings, Lipscomb was the first to strike as Brittany Elmore doubled to left center to score Brianne Welch who reached on a single in the bottom of the third inning.
The Mocs answered with a run of their own in the top of the fifth. Stockard lead off the inning with a double and an error by Lipscomb center fielder Elmore gave the sophomore just enough time to make her way around the diamond.
With the score knotted at 1, the Lady Bisons added a run in the bottom of the frame. Elmore, who had reached base on single to third base to open the inning stole second and then moved to third on a ground out by Mimi Cartwright. Elmore scored when Paige Neely grounded out to first base.
In the sixth Lipscomb extended its lead to 4-1 as Cartwright drove in Kasey Gibson with single and Elmore scored on the throw.
Behind with two outs in the top of the seventh, Chattanooga stayed relentless as Hamill connected for a three-run homer.
Knotted at four, UTC would claim the lead and ultimately the victory in the top of the ninth, as the Mocs added three more runs. Highlighting, the offensive march was a two-run double by Sarah Beth Roberts down the right field line.
Chattanooga will look to continue its success this weekend with a road series against Furman.
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