The Chattanooga Mocs softball team couldn’t find timely hitting as they dropped a 1-0 pitcher’s duel to in-state foe Austin Peay at Frost Stadium on Wednesday night.
The Mocs out-hit the Governors 5-4, but left seven on base including the tying run in scoring position in the seventh. UTC falls to 16-22 overall this season while APSU improves to 21-10.
Chattanooga threatened to score right out of the gate in the bottom of the first when Ashley Conner singled and Brook Womack walked with two outs.
A fielder’s choice ultimately ended the inning for the Mocs.
Austin Peay plated the game’s only run in the top of the third inning when a fielding error allowed a Governors runner to score from second base, giving APSU the 1-0 lead.
UTC’s bats were cooled off as the only remaining threat came in the bottom of the seventh inning. Pinch-runner Kacie Lynch swiped second base for her third stolen base of the year with two outs, but was left stranded after a strikeout ended the game.
The Mocs pitching staff kept the APSU offense in-check after allowing just four hits across the seven innings. Starting pitcher Celie Hudson (6-10) suffered the loss, but allowed just one earned run and three hits in three innings of work. Hudson struck out three hits and walked four.
Allison Swinford added three innings of solid middle-relief work, surrendering only one hit and two walks while sitting three APSU hitters down on strikes. Paige Peterson added a strikeout in a spotless seventh inning.
Chattanooga was limited to only five hits, none for extra-bases, against the tough pitching staff of Austin Peay.
Aly Walker recorded the only multi-hit game after going 2-for-3 with a pair of singles. J.J. Hamill, Conner and Cameren Swafford all added singles during the defeat.
Chattanooga travels to Cullowhee, N.C., for a three-game Southern Conference series at Western Carolina this Saturday and Sunday. Saturday’s doubleheader will be broadcasted LIVE on the SoCon Digital Network.