Shortstop Jessica Traxler’s home run was one of two UTC hits and brought in both runs in the 5-2 loss.The road to the Southern Conference tournament title became a lot more difficult for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga softball team Friday.
The Lady Mocs’ bats fell silent in a 5-2 loss to Georgia Southern in the winners-bracket final in Boone, N.C.
UTC must win three games today, at 11 a.m. against College of Charleston and then twice against GSU, to earn the program’s 12th SoCon tourney title and an NCAA regional berth.
UTC (39-15) entered the tournament with the best batting average in NCAA Division I softball but managed only two hits against Eagles ace Sarah Purvis, who retired 13 in a row to finish the win.
The Lady Mocs led 2-0 in the second inning after first baseman Kasey Tydingco walked and senior shortstop Jessica Traxler homered down the left-field line.