Camryn Cernuto’s ninth inning single drove in the go ahead run for Chattanooga and the Mocs defense held off the Tigers in a 4-3 non-conference win over Tennessee State Tuesday night at Tiger Field in extra innings.
Chattanooga struck first, scoring three runs in the second. Kendall Forsythe led off with a single through the left side. Kaili Phillips followed that with a shot over the fence in left field to put the Mocs up 2-0. With two outs, Acelynn Sellers drove a solo home run to right center to give the Mocs a 3-0 cushion.
The Tigers responded with a run in the bottom of the inning scoring from second on a two-out single up the middle, cutting UTC’s lead to 3-1.
Tennessee State tied the game with two runs in the seventh and forced extra innings.
TSU scored its second run of the game with two outs and the tying run came in on a bunt toward the first base line.
In the ninth, Addy Keylon reached first on a hit by pitch. The play held up under review. With two outs Kailey Snell reached on a throwing error putting runners on second and third. Camryn Cernuto singled up the middle to send Keylon home and Chattanooga took a 4-3 lead.
Tennessee State got one runner on board in the ninth, but the Chattanooga defense didn’t allow her past first with a ground out to second, short and a strikeout.
Chattanooga had seven hits from seven different batters. Phillips had two RBI while Sellers and Cernuto had one each.
Tennessee State moves to 23-20 on the year. The Mocs improve to 30-13 overall and will return home to host Furman for Senior Weekend. Chattanooga seniors Kaili Phillips, Kendall Forsythe and Addy Keylon will be recognized before Sunday’s game against the Paladins.