ATHENS, Ga. - In a game that had almost as many twists and turns as it had innings, the Campbell softball team (8-10) lost a tough 9-7 game in nine innings to Chattanooga in the team's final game at the Bulldog Invitational on Sunday, March 6, at Jack Turner Stadium. The Camels came back twice to tie the game in the team's final at bat, but were thwarted by a late three-run home run from UTC's Tiffany Baker. The Camels are now riding a season-long five game losing streak.

The CU defense was the story of the early game as the team committed five errors in the first three innings. The Camels spirit would not let the team go down without a fight as the team tied the game the first time with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning when senior Lizzie Goldbach laced a two-run double to the gap to even the game at five and force the extra frames.

In the eighth inning the Lady Mocs took the advantage on Jessica Traxler's single to score Kasey Tydingo, who started the inning and was placed on the second according to international tie breaker rules.

Needing a run to tie the game in the eighth the Camels came through. Senior Lauren Stephan was placed on the second. A sacrifice bunt moved her to third. Sarah Ling then drove her in with a ground out.

In the ninth UTC's Lauren Flores was placed on second. Lyndsey Stiles then walked. After a strikeout and line out, Baker homered to right on a 2-0 count to give the lead back to Chattanooga.

The Camels again would not go down without a fight in their half of the frame. Freshman Jessi Lane was placed on second to start the inning. A ground out moved her to third. Senior Katie Hinton then drove her in with a sacrifice fly. Unfortunately that was as close as Campbell could get in the 9-7 loss.

Sophomore Brittany Arnn (3-4) started for the Camels and allowed four runs (two earned) in two innings in her first appearance of the game. She then came in relief and gave up three runs in relief (two earned) on Baker's home run in the ninth inning. Freshman Olivia Scarborough pitched three innings of relief for the Camels and allowed just one unearned run. Senior Katie Woodcock pitched three innings in relief for Campbell with just an unearned run allowed. Nikki Waters started for Chattanooga and went five innings with six strikeouts. Kandice Irwin came in relief and allowed two runs in 2.2 innings worked. Michelle Fuzzard (7-2) pitched the final 1.1 innings for the Lady Mocs

The Camels offensive efforts was led by Goldbach. Goldbach tied her career-high with four RBIs in the game to go along with two hits. Junior Taylor McGee picked up three hits and scored two runs. Senior Katie Hinton also scored a pair of runs for the Camels.

The Lady Mocs scored first with a run in the first on Tiffany Baker's RBI single.

UTC added another three more runs in the second. Lyndsey Stiles drove in the first with single up the middle to score Natalie Powers from second. The Camels committed two more errors and had a wild pitch in the frame that allowed UTC to add a pair of unearned runs to the lead.

CU picked up the team's first hit on McGee's double to start the third inning. Lane followed with a walk. On the fourth ball McGee took third on the wild pitch and scored as senior Keeli Michael poked a single through the right side. Hinton sacrificed the runners over and Lane scored the second run of the game on Goldbach RBI ground out.

UTC got one of the runs back in the fourth inning. Stiles reached on a two-out triple and came in to score the team's fifth run on the fielding error from the CU second baseman. The error was the fifth of the game for the Camels.

The Camels drew a run closer in the sixth. Hinton ripped a double to the gap in left center to start the frame. Goldbach then pushed a single up the middle to score Hinton. Goldbach moved to second on the throw home and third on a ground out. Sophomore Sarah Forgacs then reached on an infield single and stole second to move into scoring position, but the next two Camels' were retired by strikeouts to keep the at 5-3 UTC.

The Camels stormed back to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh. McGee led off with a single. After the next two were retired on strikeouts, Hinton singled to left field. Goldbach then laced a two-out double to score McGee from second and Hinton all the way from first and tie the game.

The Camels will next travel to Arizona State for the Diamond Devil Invitational from March 10-12. CU starts tournament play and takes on Weber State at 12 p.m. MST on March 10.

Notes: The Camels wore the team's new orange uniforms for the first time in the game against the Lady Mocs...freshman Jessi Lane made the first start of her career with her appearance as the starting right fielder in the game...she also moved to second base later in the game for her first infield appearance...sophomore Sarah Forgacs made her second consecutive start at shortstop for CU...senior Amanda Miller missed her second consecutive game with an injury after starting in each of the team's last 192 games to start her career...senior Keeli Michael played third base in the final inning for the first time in her Campbell career.