CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Once again, the Tennessee Tech softball team battled with Chattanooga, the top team in the Southern Conference, as both teams went through the first five innings with nothing doing.

 

But the host Mocs scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning and UTC was able to hold on to win 2-0 on Wednesday.

 

The Golden Eagles (16-33) return to action on Saturday as they begin their final regular-season series of the year with a three-game set against Morehead State. Admission at Tech Softball Field is free.

 

Chattanooga (37-12) got seven hits off of Emily York, who had a good outing in the circle as she allowed just the two runs over 5 2/3 innings, striking out three. Taylor Long went 5 1/3 innings and yielding all four Golden Eagle hits, while she walked one and struck out six. Peja Goold threw the final inning and two-thirds, striking out three as she earned her 22nd win of the season.

 

Abby Shoulders had three of Tech's four hits as she went 3-for-3 on the day. Abbe Klinefelter had the other hit in the contest.

 

Acelynn Sellers and Jayce Purdy both went 2-for-3 at the plate.

 

The Golden Eagles loaded the bases in the top of the first inning as Shoulders and Klinefelter singled to right and Sydney Kirby drew a walk, but a strikeout and a grounder ended the inning with nothing doing. 

 

As inning by inning drew past with no score, Chattanooga broke the drought in the sixth inning as Baileigh Pitts drove in Camryn Cernuto with a sacrifice fly to right for the first run. Purdy doubled to center field, bringing in Sellars for the second run.

 

In the top of the seventh, UTC ended the Tech threat quickly with a liner to third and two swinging strikeouts.