The Chattanooga Mocs softball team kicked off its season in exciting fashion today at the NTC Tournament in Clermont, Fla. UTC posted wins over Morgan State and Liberty.
"It's always good to get a couple wins, and hopefully it propels us into bigger and better things," head coach Frank Reed stated. "I didn't think we played really well in the first game, but we were able to come back and scape out of it. I think that gave us a little more confidence going into the second game."
Sophomore Cori Jennings and freshman Jordan Fortel each posted their first win of the seasonL in the circle.
Additionally, Fortel hit her first career home run.
"Cori pitched awesome, and Jordan had a couple of big hits – a home run and a double," shared Reed. "It was huge."
Chattanooga started the day off with a 4-3 win over the Bears.
Going into the bottom of the sixth, the Mocs trailed 3-1 until Fortel and senior Anyssa Robles each scored to tie up the game.
UTC showed a strong defensive performance in the top of the seventh, not allowing Morgan State to make a run, even after having runners on second and third.
Freshman Alyssa Coppinger scored the game-winning run off a sacrifice fly from Fortel.
Then, the Mocs clinched a 3-1 win against the Flames.
Sophomore Cori Jennings pitched a full game fanning 11 strikeouts.
Liberty got on the board first with their lead-off hitter Alexia Taylor scoring off an error.
In the top of the third, Fortel knocked out a home run, which brought senior Sam Taylor home as well. Previously, Taylor singled and advanced off a sacrifice bunt from sophomore J.J. Hamill. This gave Chattanooga a 2-1 lead.
"That's huge to get a home run in college no matter if it's your first one or your last one," Reed commented. "It's hard to get one on the first weekend out. That should really give Jordan a lot of confidence moving forward."
In the fifth inning, Fortel doubled and Hamill scored to increase the Mocs lead to 3-1.
"We're getting there," Reed said. "Every day is a step. We're a work in progress."
Chattanooga faces Bethune-Cookman Saturday at 11:00 a.m. and Akron at 1:30 p.m.