The Chattanooga Mocs softball team opens its season Friday in Clermont, Fla., at the National Training Center Tournament. UTC faces four opponents in five games, including Morgan State, Liberty, Bethune-Cookman and Akron.
"We're anxious to get out on the field," head coach Frank Reed stated. "We need to be consistent and limit our early errors. We just need to do what we do in practice."
Chattanooga is coming off a championship season after winning the 2015 Southern Conference regular season title and tournament crown.
The squad returns nine letter winners, featuring six seniors, and boasts seven newcomers, six of which are freshmen.
"Hopefully the seniors guide the freshmen and sort of calm them down a little bit," Reed shared. "As freshmen, they're going to be anxious and excited, and sometime that creates a good atmosphere."
The Mocs were picked to win the 2016 Southern Conference softball title. Senior second baseman Criket Blanco was named preseason First-Team All-SoCon, and sophomore pitcher Cori Jennings, senior shortstop Alyssa Taylor and senior outfielder Sam Taylor were selected to the preseason Second-Team All-SoCon.
UTC kicks off the weekend against Morgan State Friday at 11:00 a.m. (E.S.T.) in the first meeting between the two squads. The Bears finished the 2015 season with an 8-30 overall record and 7-10 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference matchups.
Morgan State was picked fifth in the MEAC Preseason Poll. Sophomore infielder Danielle Pitpit was named to the Madness MEAC Preseason All-Conference Second Team. She led the Bears in hitting last season (.290), while also contributing 17 runs, 29 hits and seven doubles.
UTC faces Liberty Friday at 4:00 p.m., with the Mocs leading the series 7-0. The Flame's program posted a 29-30 record last year, paired with a 12-12 finish in Big South play.
Liberty's roster includes senior pitcher Chandler Ball, an All-Big South Second Team selection in 2015. She had a 20-11 record, throwing 21 complete games, and marked a 3.20 ERA. Sophomore Alexia Taylor returns after being the 2015 Big South Freshman of the Year. She led Liberty with 21 multiple-hit games, a .332 batting average and 12 doubles.
Chattanooga squares off with Bethune-Cookman Saturday at 11:00 a.m. and Sunday at 10:00 a.m. The last meeting between the two programs was Feb. 10, 2012, where the Mocs won 12-1. The Wildcats are picked to finish first in the MEAC after ending last season 22-29 and 11-3 in league action.
Bethune-Cookman returns 2015 MEAC Pitcher of the Year and NFCA Division I All-Southeast Region Third Team honoree Sabrina Anguiano. In 2015, she had 19 wins and 106 strikeouts over 256.0 innings.
The Mocs play Akron Saturday at 1:30 p.m. In the last matchup between UTC and the Zips, Chattanooga claimed a 5-0 win on Feb. 24, 2008. Akron wrapped up last season with a 25-26 record and 9-10 mark in Mid-American Conference play.
The Zip's roster includes senior pitcher Erin Seiler. In 2015, she was named MAC Pitcher of the Week four times and named a Second Team All-Mac honoree after recording a .217 ERA and 305 strikeouts over 264 innings pitched.
"The season will really go by fast once we get going," Reed shared. "And so we just need to make sure we're ready to do that."
Check the softball schedule page on GoMocs.com for links to live stats.
UTC starts home action in the Chattanooga Spring Classic Feb. 19-21 against Dayton, Detroit Mercy, UT-Martin, IPFW and Wright State twice.