The ETSU softball team fell 9-1 but then prevailed 3-1 to split a doubleheader against Southern Conference rival Chattanooga Saturday afternoon at Frost Stadium in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Jada Pescatore set a new school record with seven RBIs for Chattanooga in a game to lead the Lady Mocs to a 9-1 victory in game one. She smashed two three-run homers and was at the plate with the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth. She drew a walk in the sixth, which accounted for the final run and ended the game via the eight-run mercy rule.
Pescatore’s two home runs marked the seventh time in school history a UTC player has hit two or more homers in a game.
Beth Alexander fanned 12 Bucs, which was just one shy of her own school record. Interestingly, Alexander struck out 13 ETSU batters last season to set the record.
Alexander (12-2) had a perfect game through four innings and yielded just two hits and one walk on the day.
UTC broke on top in the first inning of the second game on a RBI double by Jill Crawford, which plated Ramirez who had also doubled.
ETSU came back with three runs in the fifth when freshman centerfielder Danielle Spetar stroked a three-run double to right-center, which chased UTC starter Awbrey Winckler. Sophomore designated player Julia Chance and freshman pinch hitter Amy Moore drew back-to-back walks to start the inning and one out later, sophomore shortrstop Tiffany Vandergriff was intentionally walked. Spetar spoiled the strategy with a deep double in the gap.
UTC had chances to score but stranded eight runners, including two each in the sixth and seventh. ETSU senior pitcher Marsha Giles (5-5) pitched around six walks with one strikeout and five hits.
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The ETSU softball team’s record fell to 13-13 after a 5-0 loss to Chattanooga last Saturday afternoon from Frost Stadium in Chattanooga, Tenn.
The Bucs (13-13, 3-3 Southern Conference) ran into the hottest pitcher in the conference as Chattanooga’s Beth Alexander (13-2) won her seventh consecutive game with a three-hit shutout.
The Lady Mocs (19-8, 4-1 SoCon) took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on Jada Pescatore’s RBI double. Chattanooga did not get another runner past second base until the sixth.
Melissa Ramirez opened the sixth with a double for the Lady Mocs and Pescatore then reached on a fielder’s choice. When Jill Crawford flied to right, Ramirez moved to third and she came into score with a throwing error on the play. Pescatore, who had moved around to third on the play, scored on Jolene Martin’s single.
Chattanooga’s Paige Cochrane then hit a scorching line-drive just inside the foul pole for her second homer of the season.
ETSU (13-13, 3-3) stranded five runners, and it had two runners on with no outs in the sixth, but Alexander got back-to-back strikeouts and a groundout to end the threat.
Freshman pitcher Courtney Jenkins (5-4) took the loss after pitching six innings and allowing five earned runs on eight hits, striking out four.
Sophomore shortstop Tiffany Vandergriff, senior designated player Melanie Collins and sophomore catcher Sheryl Clark collected the three hits for the Buccaneers.
ETSU is home on Saturday vs. College of Charleston.

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