Lady Mocs back to work

After a couple of days off to enjoy its second consecutive Southern Conference tournament title, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga softball team got back to work Tuesday afternoon. The Lady Mocs practiced at Jim Frost Stadium in preparing to take on Texas in Tuscaloosa, Ala., in their opening game of the NCAA regional.

Coach Frank Reed said the team was trying to get back up to speed after the emotional experience of winning the league tournament Saturday and finding out their NCAA destination late Sunday night.

“We just wanted to bring them down back to earth,” Reed said. “We’ve won the (SoCon) tournament and now we have to move on. We needed to knock off the rust a little bit.”

The Lady Mocs (30-22) earned a No. 3 seed in the four-team Tuscaloosa regional. Top-seeded host Alabama will take on No. 4 seed Mississippi Valley State in the other opening game.

UTC freshman shortstop Jessica Traxler said she is ready to focus on the Longhorns.

“I’m ready to stay after and get in some extra batting practice,” she said during warm-ups before Tuesday’s practice. “When the game comes, I want to give 110 percent out on the field.”

The Longhorns (38-18) are led offensively by freshman outfielder Courtney Craig and junior infielder Loryn Johnson, who are batting over .400 for the season, and senior first baseman/pitcher Desiree Williams, who has 12 home runs.

Texas is likely to send out sophomore pitcher Brittany Barnhill. Barnhill has a 24-13 record this season with a 2.78 ERA, but she was roughed up for six runs, five earned, in four innings Saturday in the Longhorns’ 6-2 loss to Oklahoma in a Big 12 tournament semifinal.

UTC first baseman and pitcher Michelle Fuzzard said the Lady Mocs had not yet spent much time learning about Texas, but they weren’t going to let the uncertainty change the way they prepare for game day.

“All I know is their record and I know they’re a Big 12 school,” Fuzzard said. “The last time we played them was 1999, so both teams will be going in pretty blind. I think the goal is not to get too high or too low. Texas is a big name ... but we just have to not get intimidated by the name on their chest.”

Reed had a special guest open the team’s practice Tuesday. UTC wrestling coach Chris Bono gave the Lady Mocs a pep talk.

“I share the passion for UTC, and I want to see all our teams do well,” Bono said. “So if I can come out and say something that will inspire them a little bit or they can take into the ballgame, then I’m going to do it.

Bono’s message was a simple one: Go to Tuscaloosa and win.

“They need to enjoy the ride, but don’t enjoy it too much,” Bono said. “It doesn’t matter what school or conference you come from. If they go down there and do what they’re trained to do, they can be successful. Don’t be happy just being there. It doesn’t matter how you play, but make sure you win.”