CLERMONT, Fla.-- The Chattanooga Lady Mocs softball team (1-4) dropped its fourth game of the season Sunday morning on the final day of the National Training Center Invitational in Clermont, Fla. to the Fordham Rams (4-1). Starting pitcher Kalsey Carson (Indianapolis, Indiana) was charged with the loss despite giving up only two runs in 2.2 innings of work. The Rams' win over Chattanooga is their second of the season.
Scoreless through two innings, Fordham struck first with two runs in the third inning.
With Carson on the hill, Fordham centerfielder Jessica Crowley smacked a solo homerun over the leftfield fence to give the Rams a 1-0 advantage. Just three batters later, shortstop Elise Fortier blasted another homerun to left, taking the Fordham lead to 2-0. Freshman Rachel Albritton (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) was brought on in relief of Carson and recorded the final out of the inning.
Chattanooga answered back in the bottom of the third with a run of its own. Following back-to-back groundouts, senior Sara Poteat gapped a two-out triple to the left-centerfield fence. Junior Tyler Templet (Woodstock, Ga.) followed through in the next at-bat with an RBI single to cut the Rams' lead in half.
Going to the bottom of the seventh inning with the score standing at 2-1 in Fordham's favor, Chattanooga threatened when Ninjja Suetsugu (Sao Paulo, Brazil) singled to lead off the inning. Junior Stephanie Rieck (Chandler, Ariz.) put down a bunt to move the runner to second, but was able to beat out a throw from third base, finding herself safe at first base as well. With one out, Templet lined into a game-ending double-play.
Albrittion finished the day with 4.1 innings pitched, allowing just four hits and striking out five batters. As for the Lady Mocs' offense, Poteat, Templet and Suetsugu each recorded three hits. Rieck and Kasey Tydingco (Fairfield, Calif.) both recorded singles.
Chattanooga is back in action next weekend as they participate in the Tiger Invitational in Auburn, Ala. The Lady Mocs are scheduled to take on Kansas, Indiana State, Tennessee State and the hosting Tigers over the three-day weekend.