Oklahoma nips Lady Mocs, 1-0

Tiffany Baker was 2-for-3 for the UTC softball team in its season-opening 1-0 loss to 11th-ranked Oklahoma.

CLERMONT, Fla. -- The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga softball team started the 2010 season with a pair of losses to nationally ranked teams Saturday at the National Training Center Invitational tournament.

UTC started the day with an impressive pitching performance by Brooke Loudermilk in a 1-0 loss to No. 11 Oklahoma.

Loudermilk pitched six innings of three-hit ball for the Lady Mocs, matching heralded Sooners freshman Keilani Ricketts pitch for pitch for the first five innings. Loudermilk struck out nine batters and Ricketts struck out 12 before Ricketts' sacrifice fly dropped by Lauren Flores in the sixth inning scored pinch runner Evan Sallis with the only run of the game.

Ricketts, who was named Ms. Softball for the state of California as a senior in high school last year, allowed only three hits in the game. Junior third baseman Tiffany Baker was 2-for-3 for UTC, and shortstop Jessica Traxler went 1-for-2.

Against No. 3 Michigan, pitcher Nikki Waters had a solid start but was roughed up in the third inning and UTC lost 12-1 in six innings.

The Wolverines broke open a scoreless game with four runs against Waters in the third inning. Kandice Irwin came on in relief of Waters and didn't fare any better, giving up seven runs on eight hits in more than an inning of work.

UTC batters again had trouble at the plate, as Michigan pitcher Jordan Taylor gave up three hits over five innings for the win. The Lady Mocs were able to score their first run of the season on a double by Michelle Fuzzard that brought in center fielder Lindsey Stiles.

UTC will wrap up play at the NTC Invitational today with games against Florida Atlantic and Central Florida. A scheduled game against Georgia has been cancelled.

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