There’s nothing like momentum for a team preparing for its first homestand of the season, and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga softball Lady Mocs have plenty of it as they prepare to host the Frost Classic Inspired by Memorial.
The 16-team event opens today at Warner Park.
After opening the season with losses to nationally ranked powers Oklahoma and Michigan, the Lady Mocs have reeled off seven consecutive wins heading into their opening game against Rutgers at 3 p.m. today in Jim Frost Stadium. UTC is scheduled to face Kansas at 5:30 today, Kansas and Georgetown at 3 and 5:30 Saturday and Miami of Ohio at 12:30 p.m. Sunday.
Other teams playing in the Frost Classic are Tennessee Tech, UT-Martin, Austin Peay, East Tennessee State, Central Connecticut, Ball State, Wright State, Lipscomb, Oakland and Evansville.
UTC coach Frank Reed wants his team to play up to its potential this weekend, regardless of who the opponent is.
“Sometimes I feel like we play down to the competition, so we’re trying to focus this week on playing Chattanooga softball,” Reed said Thursday after practice. “We don’t know what level our opponent is going to play. We just know the level we’re supposed play.”
Junior third baseman Tiffany Baker from East Ridge has led the offense in UTC’s hot start. She is batting .458 with 10 RBIs, five home runs and a head-turning 1.083 slugging percentage.
Coming off of a junior season limited by injury, senior pitcher Brooke Loudermilk has been spectacular thus far. She has a record of 4-1 with a save and a 0.44 ERA in 31 2/3 innings pitched.
Former Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe player Lauren Flores has produced in crucial spots during UTC’s winning streak, including a two-RBI hit in the Lady Mocs’ 2-0 win over Butler in the Austin Peay Classic last weekend. Flores said the Lady Mocs are reaping the benefits of hard work in the offseason.
“I think it’s a little bit of chemistry — well, maybe a lot of chemistry,” Flores said. “Everybody worked really hard in the fall. … It’s finally all just fitting together.”
Freshman infielder Sara Poteat has had the most playing time of any of the UTC newcomers. Poteat, who has started four games this season, said she is excited about her first college home game.
“It’s exciting. I just need to keep producing and staying solid in the field,” Poteet said. “I’m probably a little nervous, but it’s very exciting.”
Junior outfielder Lyndsey Stiles said she and her teammates want to continue their successful start this weekend.
“We definitely want to go 5-0. I think that’s everyone’s goal,” the former Soddy-Daisy standout said. “But we’re taking it a game at a time, a batter at a time. We just want to keep getting better.”
As the leadoff batter, Stiles wants to give those behind her more chances for RBIs.
“My goal is to get on base,” said Stiles, who is batting .222 and is 4-for-4 on stolen-base attempts. “And of course I want to steal every time I get on base. I’m greedy.”