CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (2/21/16) – The University of Detroit Mercy softball team wrapped up play at the Chattanooga Spring Classic on Sunday afternoon and fell on the wrong side of a pair of decisions against Dayton and UT Martin.
 
The Titans had a tough opener after falling behind early to Dayton and fell to the Flyers, 8-0. Freshman Ashley Mauser put together her best performance of the season and nearly went the distance in a competitive pitcher's duel, but a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh gave UT Martin a 3-2 walk-off win in the nightcap over Detroit.
 
GAME ONE VS. DAYTON
Sloppy defense allowed the Flyers to plate the game's first run in the top of the first, before Dayton surged ahead 5-0 after a four-run second inning. The capitalistic Flyers pushed their lead even further with three runs in the top of the third, as Detroit tallied a pair of errors.
 
The Titan offense was held to just two hits and seven base runners as Cash and Snyder combined for the shutout.
 
Senior Christa McGahuey went 1-for-2 from the plate, while sophomore Savvy Ferstle was 1-for-3. Jordan Manno reached base twice with a pair of walks, as did junior Jenna Reeves.
 
McGahuey was tagged with the loss after allowing five runs (four earned) on five hits in 1.2 innings. Keaira Schilling appeared in relief and allowed three runs (one earned), while Mauser and Alexis Robison-Kohrs combined for a scoreless final three innings.
 
GAME TWO VS. UT MARTIN
The Titans put the pressure on in the nightcap and plated the games first two runs in the second and fourth innings. The support appeared like it would be all Detroit needed behind a dominant outing from freshman Ashley Mauser.
 
Mauser cruised through the first five innings, giving up zero runs on just three hits. She ran into her first bit of trouble in the bottom of the sixth, but held the Skyhawks to a single run to head to the final inning, up 2-1.
 
UT Martin got a rally started in the seventh, however, as a single and error put the winning run in scoring position. A double and seeing-eye single up the middle gave the Skyhawks the walk-off 3-2 win.
 
Mauser was excellent as she went the distance in the circle. She scattered just six hits in the game, but was saddled the hard-luck loss with the late Skyhawk surge.
 
Ferstle led the Titans at the dish after reaching base twice, with a double and walk in two at bats. Junior Laura Villagrana also reached base twice after going 1-for-3 with a walk.
 
UT Martin improved to 8-2 with the victory, while the Titans fall to 1-8.
 
ON DECK
Detroit returns to action next weekend in South Carolina for the Charleston Tournament. The Titans begin play Saturday, Feb. 27 against Campbell University and will face Charleston, Radford and South Carolina State at the tournament.