The UTC softball team, who will be opening the season on Friday in Clermont, Fla., held an open house on Tuesday.

Over 200 supports of the softball program came out to "Meet the Lady Mocs" at the UTC Indoor Hitting Facility.

The event was coordinated by the UTC Mocs Club, who provided refreshments, and fans walked away with autographed posters and schedule cards by thier favorite players.

Four-time Southern Conference Coach of the Year Frank Reed fielded questions about his team's upcoming season along with the expectations and goals that have been set for the program.

"It is always fun to talk with the media and tell them about your team," said Reed. "We capped off the night talking to the fans in the local community and even Amanda Sawrthout, our Friends of Jaclyn teammate, was with us. I know the girls really love and embrace talking with their younger fans. The girls know that they are not only playing for themselves, but these people that support them."

Seniors pitcher Kandice Irwin (Knoxville) and outfielders Lyndsey Stiles (Hixson) were asked about their contributions to the squad and the honor of being selected to the all-conference preseason first team. Irwin paced the NCAA in saves last season with 11, while Stiles is the team's leadoff hitter and main threat on the base paths.

"Honestly, tonight is great as we have an opportunity to converse with our younger fans, who are the best becasue they look up to us," said Irwin. "I can remember when I was young at an event like this and thought everyone was awesome, too. They are the players that are going to grow up and eventually take our spots."

Another member of the squad that was sought after by the local media was junior pitcher and first baseman Michelle Fuzzard (Huntington Beach, Calif.). She redshirted last season after suffering a knee injury in the team's 15th game and still has two years of eligibility remaining. The dual threat player took conference postseason honors at first base and pitcher following the 2009 season.

Senior second baseman Kristin Holloway (Chickamauga, Ga.) has been battling for a starting position this offseason. Holloway discussed how the team came together during camp and that the team is ready for the start of the season.

The Lady Mocs have been practicing daily since school began and are just a couple days away from kicking off the regular season at Dot Richardson's National Collegiate Invitational in Clermont, Fla.

Florida Atlantic and Georgia Tech open the event for Chattanooga on Friday at noon. The third opponent during the three-day event is Fordham, who the Lady Mocs play on Sunday at 1 p.m.

The weekend of Feb. 25-28, Chattanooga begins its home slate at Frost Stadium with the annual Frost Classic that begins at 2 p.m. The Lady Mocs welcome East Tennessee State, Northern Iowa, Northwestern State, IUPUI, UT Martin, Tennessee Tech and Toledo to the Scenic City.