UTC's batters do well

On a cold day at Jim Frost Stadium, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga softball team was a little stiff in its Blue-Gold intrasquad scrimmage Saturday. There were a few defensive miscues, the pitching was not up to preseason form and the team generally showed the effects of being limited to mainly indoor practice because of the extensive rain this fall.

The Gold team used a five-run fifth inning to take a 7-4 win in a modified scrimmage where the UTC pitchers faced both lineups.

Senior pitcher Brooke Loudermilk said the cold conditions and wet field had an impact on the game. The teams combined for 12 hits and 10 earned runs against Loudermilk, junior transfer Nikki Waters, Kandice Irwin and Michelle Fuzzard.

"It wasn't exactly the best conditions that we could have hoped for, but I think we made do," Loudermilk said. "We've got a lot to work on, that's for sure. I think our hitters did better than expected against us."

Now a junior, usual first baseman Fuzzard looked to be in midseason form at the plate, going 2-for-3 and hitting the game's only home run -- a shot to left field in the third inning.

Another bright spot was strong contributions from the Lady Mocs' newcomers. Freshman infielder Kasey Tydingco was 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored, and Sara Poteat went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run. Tydingco, Poteat and Fuzzard were the only players with multiple hits.

UTC coach Frank Reed saw lots of room for improvement Saturday, but he said he wasn't too worried.

"We really weren't sharp, but that's not too concerning at this point," Reed said. "We see some bright spots, and that's what you want to see at this point.

"We'll get there. We've got a lot of talent, I think."

Before the game, UTC's seniors unveiled banners for the team's 2009 regular-season and tournament Southern Conference championships and NCAA tournament appearance. The players were presented their conference championship rings from last season.

The Lady Mocs will open the 2010 season in early February.