CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (2/20/16) – The University of Detroit Mercy softball team was tripped up by Indiana Purdue-Fort Wayne and Tennessee Chattanooga on opening day from the Chattanooga Spring Classic.
In the opener, the Titans led early behind strong pitching, but could not hold off the Mastodons as IPFW came back to earn a 3-1 win over Detroit. The Titans fell behind early in the nightcap and could not regain their footing as the Mocs cruised to a 14-0 win against Detroit.
GAME ONE VS. IPFWThe Titans plated the game's first run in the opening half inning and held the Mastodons in check for a solid chunk of the game.
Jordan Manno got things going in the first with a single down the right field line. A pair of steals put Manno on third and
Jennifer Cottle picked up the RBI on an infield hit to shortstop.
Senior
Christa McGahuey came out firing from the circle and faced two over the minimum through three innings. The Mastodons put together a rally in the fourth as the leadoff hitter reached and came around to tie the game on a RBI triple. A hit, two walks and a hit by pitch allowed the rally to continue as IPFW surged ahead, 3-1.
The Titans strung together three hits in the top of the fifth to load the bases, but could not find any holes as the Mastodons extinguished the threat.
Down 3-1 and facing its last at bat, Detroit loaded the bases with no outs and put the tying run in scoring position. IPFW found a way to wiggle out of the jam with back-to-back strikeouts and a pop out and earned the close 3-1 win.
Manno reached base in all four at bats to lead the Titans, going 2-for-2 from the plate with a run scored, two walks and two stolen bases.
Cottle went 2-for-3 with a RBI and a stolen base, while
Laura Villagrana went 2-for-4 from the leadoff spot.
McGahuey was saddled with the loss after allowing three runs on five hits in 3.1 innings pitched.
Keaira Schilling appeared in relief and allowed just one base runner over the final 2.2 innings of the game.
Detroit outhit IPFW 8-6, but finished on the wrong end of a 3-1 score.
GAME TWO VS. UT CHATTANOOGAIn the second game of the day, the Titans fell behind early as the Mocs continued their red-hot play in the early going of the spring. UT Chattanooga scored 10 runs before the first out was recorded in the bottom of the first. UTC would add three more as the hosts exploded for 13 runs in their first at bat.
The Detroit pitching staff responded after a disastrous first inning and allowed just one run over the remainder of the game.
The Titans bats were stifled by UTC's Kailey Palazzolo, as Cottle picked up Detroit's lone hit. Junior
Laura Villagrana provided the Titans only other base runner after leading off the game with a walk.
Schilling took the loss in the circle after not escaping the first inning, while
Paige Fairchild made her collegiate debut from the rubber.
Ashley Mauser also appeared in relief and allowed just one run over the final three innings of the game.
With the loss, Detroit falls to 1-6 on the young season. Meanwhile, the Mocs improved to a sparkling 8-0 record.
ON DECKThe Titans return to action Sunday in day two of the Chattanooga Spring Classic. The Titans square off with Dayton at 11 a.m. and conclude the tournament with UT Martin at 1:30 p.m.
