UTC softball rallies past FAU

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga softball team wrapped up play at Dot Richardson's National Collegiate Invitational in Clermont, Fla., in fine fashion on Sunday, rallying late to claim a 7-1 victory over Florida Atlantic.

The Lady Mocs offense was quiet early, and FAU took a 1-0 lead in the third inning with an unearned run off UTC starter Taylor Deason.

UTC (3-2) finally got on the scoreboard in a big way in the fifth inning when left fielder Layne Rainey led off with a triple. Second baseman Sara Poteat reached on a throwing error, and Kaiti Dutton loaded the bases on a fielder's choice. Designated player Michelle Fuzzard reached on a fielding error, scoring Rainey and Poteat to put the Lady Mocs in front.

UTC added three more runs in the frame -- aided by three FAU errors -- with the big hit coming from shortstop Jessica Traxler, who knocked in Vivian Morimoto and Haylee Blalock with a single down the right-field line.

Deason turned in a strong performance in the pitching circle to pick up her second win of the season. The freshman allowed three hits and four walks over seven innings while recording five strikeouts.

Traxler was 3-for-4 at the plate with two RBIs and a run scored. Poteat went 2-for-5 and scored twice, and junior first baseman Kasey Tydingco had two hits for UTC, which outhit Florida Atlantic 9-3.

UTC will be back in action this weekend when the team will take part in the Georgia State Panther Invitational in Atlanta. The Lady Mocs will open the tournament with games against IUPUI and Georgia State on Saturday.

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