UTC looks to lasso Longhorns

After an exciting win Saturday to claim another Southern Conference tournament title, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga softball team got more good news Sunday night.

The Lady Mocs (30-22) will be heading back to a Tuscaloosa, Ala., regional of the NCAA tournament for the second straight year, but this time they’re getting a bit more respect from the tournament selection committee.

Last year, UTC was a No. 4 seed and had to take on national power Alabama in the first game — leading to an 0-2 showing — but this year the Lady Mocs were given a No. 3 seed and are matched up against No. 2 Texas from the Big 12 in their opening matchup. Region host and top-seeded Alabama and No. 4 seed Mississippi Valley State round out the field in Tuscaloosa.

UTC and the Longhorns will meet Friday at 4:30 p.m. EDT.

After a tough season, plagued with injuries and a tough out-of-conference schedule, UTC coach Frank Reed was pleasantly surprised to be given a better seed than he had expected.

“I didn’t feel like we’d get a No. 3 seed this year,” Reed said at the Lady Mocs selection show party at Buffalo Wild Wings downtown. “I thought we deserved a three last year, but I didn’t think a three was anywhere in sight.”

Reed says he hopes that UTC’s reputation helped in the tournament selection committee’s deliberations.

“I’d like to think that they know Chattanooga softball and we’re respected around the country,” Reed said. “We’ve had some solid wins and we swept through the tornament. I’d like to think that all that played into our getting a three seed.”

As for UTC’s opponent, Reed admits that he doesn’t know much about Texas, but the team is excited for the opportunity to face the Longhorns at a location close by where UTC has played many times.

“We know about Tuscaloosa, so it’s going to be almost like playing at home. We’ve played down there quite a bit,” he said. “I can’t recall playing (Texas) anytime recently. It’s going to be fun to play somebody different.”

Toni Hutchison, the Lady Mocs’ lone senior, is thrilled about returning to Tuscaloosa for another shot at advancing to the super-regional round.

“I’m very excited,” Hutchison said. “It’s exciting to be a three seed and get a step up from last year. A lot of us have been to Tuscloosa before. I feel real comfortable about going there. I’m very excited about playing. I can’t wait.”

In her final season, Hutchison hopes the Lady Mocs can give it their all in the NCAA tournament and try to find just a little more success in what has already been a special season

“This is what it’s all about. We have to leave it all out there on the field and give it all you’ve got” she said. “We have to live in this moment because it might never happen again — and it won’t for me.”

SEC sends nine

The Southeastern Conference will be well represented in the NCAA softball tournament, with nine teams making the 64-team field. The Tennessee Lady Vols will host the Knoxville regional and will take on James Madison in their opening game. Nebraska and Jacksonville State will also play in the Knoxville regional.

Georgia, Florida, Mississippi State, Alabama, Auburn, Kentucky, Arkansas and LSU also were selected to participate in the tournament.