CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (Feb. 26, 2010) – Rutgers softball dropped two close decisions at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga to Miami of Ohio, 4-3, and Chattanooga, 6-5 in eight innings, at the Frost Classic Inspired by Memorial Friday. Sophomores Brittany Lindley (Cicero, N.Y.) and Mikelyn Messina (Prospect, Conn.) each tallied two RBI and two hits, as each smashed homers for RU (0-7).
In game one, senior right-handed ace Nicole Lindley (Cicero, N.Y.) got the nod, striking out eight batters while giving up four runs on eight hits in five innings of work. Freshman Abbey Houston (New Egypt, N.J.) came in for two innings of relief, allowing no hits and retiring six-straight batters.
RU started things off against MU, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first. With one out and Jen Meinheit (Anaheim Hills, Calif.) on first after a base on balls, Brittany Lindley singled into left center. Meinheit made it to third and Brittany Lindley advanced on the throw. Mandy Craig (Manassas, Va.) kept things going with an RBI single to left, scoring Meinheit. Lindley scored as MU catcher Taylor Rice caught Craig stealing second.
Miami came right back, scoring two runs on two hits in the second. The RedHawks took the lead in the fifth on a triple by Meghan Mawn that scored Daniela Torres. MU added to its lead on a Sarah Billstrom homer in the sixth.
The Scarlet Knights fought back in the bottom of the seventh, as Brittany Lindley homered to start the inning. Craig and junior Danielle Procopio (Vineland, N.J.) walked to put two on with no outs, but RU could not capitalize.
At Frost Stadium in game two, sophomore Noelle Sisco (Towaco, N.J.) toed the rubber for the Scarlet Knights. Sisco went 6.1 innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on six hits while fanning two. Houston relieved Sisco, going 1.1 innings and giving up three runs on four hits.
UTC got on the board first on a walk and an error. RU came right back as Messina sent a home run to center field. Rutgers played small ball in the top of the fourth to take the lead, as Messina singled to left field, driving in freshman Ashley Bragg (Middletown, Del.) who had walked.
The Scarlet Knights went up 3-1 in the sixth as Brittany Lindley lined to left field, sacrificing herself to bring in Bragg, who had again walked and advanced on a wild pitch.
The home team tied it in the bottom of the seventh, on four singles and a sacrifice bunt that scored two runs. RU came right back, putting runners at second and third in the top of the extra inning. Bragg sent a frozen rope down the leftfield line for a double that cleared the bases and put RU up, 5-3.
Chattanooga would not go away, as Tiffany Baker scored on a single by Tia Blosser to make the score 5-4. With two outs and down to her last strike, Della Harrison doubled down the left field line for a walk-off UTC victory.
Rutgers plays East Tennessee State University and Austin Peay back-to-back on Saturday at 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
