Softball Mocs split in Las Vegas

Saturday, February 15, 2014

photo UTC Mocs logo

A rough first inning was just enough to hurt the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga softball team in its first game Friday in Las Vegas, but the Lady Mocs bounced back in their second game with an impressive first win of the season.

The Lady Mocs (1-5) gave up two runs in the first inning and lost 2-1 to Boise State but were dominent in a five-inning, 8-0 win over Brigham Young in the opening day of the Easton Desert Classic.

Junior pitcher Taylor Deason started for UTC against Boise State and recorded two outs before allowing a two-run home run by Ashley Palmer.

Kentucky transfer Katie Henderson replaced Deason and was effective the rest of the way, allowing just one hit while striking out four in 6 2/3 innings. But the UTC offense struggled against Boise State pitcher Rebecca Patton.

UTC finally managed to get on the scoreboard when second baseman Alyssa Taylor hit a home run, but that was the end of the Lady Mocs offense. The only other UTC hit was a first-inning single by Sam Taylor.

The UTC bats awoke in the second game, with one run in the first inning on a single by Criket Blanco that scored Taylor.

The Lady Mocs added two runs in the third inning when Sarah Beth Roberts scored on a throwing error by BYU and senior outfielder Kaiti Dutton knocked in Stephanie Rieck with a sacrifice fly.

In the fifth inning, UTC broke the game open with five runs on four hits to end the game early.

Blanco was 2-for-4 in the win with two RBIs, and catcher Anyssa Robles also had two RBIs in the win.

UTC continues play in Las Vegas today with games aganst Neavada-Reno and Oregon.