Softball Southern Conference

Mocs Have Familiar Feeling In NCAA Regionals

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - When Chattanooga softball coach Frank Reed finished
putting his Lady Mocs softball team through a brief practice Wednesday
morning, the feeling was very similar to what he has been through prior to
so many national tournaments.

Reed, in his first year guiding UTC's softball fortunes, has been to the
Promised Land in junior college, NSA and ASA events. This is his first time
taking a team to the NCAA Regional and the Lady Mocs take on Florida
Atlantic Thursday at 12:30 p.m. in the Region 8 tournament hosted by
Florida State University.

"As far as prestige, this is the ultimate level," Reed said. "The feeling,
however, is no different if I was at the junior college national tournament
right now. The feeling of the postseason is not different. It never gets
old. The excitement to be at this level with a team is great, whether it's
NAIA, NCAA, Division II or junior college. They all have a level of
excitement that goes with it."

The Lady Mocs certainly understand the pressure and prestige of playing in
an NCAA Regional because this is UTC's third consecutive trip. In 2000, UTC
went 1-2 in the regional hosted by Washington, and last season, UTC was
also 1-2 in the region at Alabama.

Chattanooga was a No. 5 seed the previous years but it was given a No. 6
seed this season, perhaps because the Lady Mocs record (42-13) was not as
impressive as previous years. UTC could have at least 50 wins this season
if more than a dozen games not been cancelled due to weather.

With a No. 6 seed, UTC takes on the Region's top seed, Florida Atlantic,
which is the champion of the Atlantic Sun Conference. The Lady Owls (60-11)
are ranked No. 12 in the USA Today/NFCA Top 25 poll.

Senior pitcher Nikki Myers (35-6, 0.63 ERA, 417 Ks) ranks #5 nationally in
ERA, #5 in Ks per game and 21st in saves (4). Freshman pitcher Candice
Freel ranks #42 with a 1.12 ERA. FAU's 0.85 team ERA is #3 in the nation.
Myers also leads the squad in hitting at .374 with 12 home runs and 40 RBIs.

"Myers is as good as they come and Freel may be throwing as good or better
than Myers right now," Reed said. "Pitching is the strength of their team.
A 0.85 ERA is getting it done. We have to come out and establish ourselves
early. We match up pretty good against them. We both have good hitting and
good pitching. It will come down to who makes the fewest mistakes."

Internet users can follow Thursday's first-round game and all Region 8
games on the Internet via live in-game statistics. Click on the link on
UTC's athletics website, www.GoMocs.com.