May 5, 2001

FURMAN FALLS TO CHATTANOOGA 2-0

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee -- Furman's Lady Paladin softball team sustained its first loss of the 2001 Southern Conference Softball Championship Saturday in a 2-0 decision to top-seeded Chattanooga .

UTC's Beth Alexander came in to relieve Talya Trudell in the third inning and held Furman hitless for 4.2 innings, striking out 10. Meanwhile, Furman pitcher Missy Baldwin threw a complete game six innings, giving up six hits and two runs to take the loss.

The Mocs scored one run in the bottom of the first inning when Leah Tuker singled to right field, advanced to second on a wild pitch, took third on a groundout, and scored on an Angela Brewer single to center field. UTC threatened again in the third when the bases were loaded with two outs, but a Chrissy Hacker catch in left field ended the inning and kept Furman within one run. In the bottom of the sixth Brewer struck again, with a solo shot over the left field wall that gave UTC an insurance run in their quest for the league title.

La Kerah Barr, Karen Myers, and Alison McNulty each got a hit off the Chattanooga starter, but were unable to combine those with two walks to get on the board.

With the win, the Mocs improve to 47-16 on the year, while Furman falls to 27-28. The Lady Paaldins will face the winner of the College of Charleston-Georgia Southern game Sunday at 1 p.m., while the Mocs advance directly into the championship game at 5 p.m.

Furman 000 000 0 0R, 3H, 2E

UTC 100 001 2R, 6H, 1E

Win - Alexander (23-7)

Loss - Baldwin (4-7