If it could go wrong for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga softball team this season, it did.
It started in the circle. Coach Frank Reed brought in three freshman pitchers this year, but the No. 1 option, Celie Hudson, suffered a back injury that held her out for the first month. That left Payten Price as the primary option, and she was starting to improve before her season ended in March – right around the time Hudson returned.
The problems weren’t just pitching, although those were major concerns (the team had to hold open tryouts for pitchers at one point). There were bus issues, as well as other minor financial issues that led to headaches for Reed, his coaching staff and the team.
Still, the team has had its moments hitting the ball, and with a late surge the Mocs feel good.
UTC head softball coach Frank Reed shouts after a runner is called out during the Mocs’ home softball game against Furman at Frost Stadium on Friday, March 25, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Seventh-seeded UTC (14-36) will face Furman, the No. 2 seed, at 12:30 today at Frost Stadium in the first round of the Southern Conference tournament. The teams just played last week with the Paladins taking two out of three.