Softball Southern Conference

Blosser, Irwin Garner Weekly Softball Honors

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Chattanooga's Tia Blosser has been tabbed the Southern Conference Softball Player of the Week, while teammate Kandice Irwin has been selected the Pitcher of the Week for all games April 5-11. The selections are made by the league office.

A senior second baseman from Knoxville, Tenn., Blosser registered a hit in all five of Chattanooga's games this week as the Lady Mocs went undefeated. Finishing the week with a .550 average, she recorded three multi-hit games while tallying seven RBIs and scoring six runs.

In Chattanooga's two wins at Tennessee State, Blosser went a combined 3-for-8 with a double and three RBIs.

Blosser hit at least .400 in each of the Lady Mocs' three wins at Georgia Southern as UTC completed the season sweep of the Eagles.

She went 2-for-4 while bringing in two runs in game one. Her two RBI singles tied the game at three as Chattanooga came back to win 5-3. She also scored two runs.

In the third game of the series, Blosser was a perfect 5-for-5 with two RBIs. The Lady Mocs won 5-4 in 11 innings.

Irwin, a junior pitcher from Knoxville, Tenn., earned two wins and three saves while recording a 1.05 ERA. She fanned 18 batters and walked just one. Opponents averaged just .180 against her as she allowed just three runs, two being earned, in 13.1 innings pitched.

In the Lady Mocs' first game at Tennessee State, Irwin claimed her ninth save of the season. She became the league's single-season save leader, surpassing the eight set by UNC Greensboro's Maureen Flynn in 2002. The save was also the 11th of her career, which tied the UTC record.

She earned two saves and a win as Chattanooga swept Georgia Southern. Irwin struck out 12 batters and walked none, while allowing just four hits. Her 6.1 innings of work in the third game of the series was a career-high as the contest went 11 innings.

With 11 saves on the season, Irwin needs five more to pass the NCAA record, which was set in 2008 by Mallory Aldred of Canisius. Irwin is a perfect 7-0 on the season with 64 strikeouts in 53.2 innings pitched.

The Lady Mocs return to action Wednesday when they host UAB in a doubleheader.

Also receiving nominations for player of the week were Appalachian State's Megan Rembielak, College of Charleston's Amanda Lonergan, Elon's Tomeka Watson, Furman's Stephanie Field, UNC Greensboro's Kaitlin Merkt and Western Carolina's Jordan Fulton.

Also nominated for pitcher of the week were Appalachian State's Frannie Seader, College of Charleston's Terri Mesko, Elon's Lauren Taylor, Furman's Lana Mackey and UNC Greensboro's Cory Mattson.

2010 Southern Conference Softball Player of the Week

Feb. 15

Emerald Graham, Elon

Feb. 22

Tiffany Baker, Chattanooga

March 1

McKenzie Phillips, Appalachian State

March 8

Katie England, Samford

March 15

Emerald Graham, Elon

March 22

Katie Boyd, Appalachian State

March 29

Jenny Side, Georgia Southern

April 5

Stephanie Field, Furman

April 12

Tia Blosser, Chattanooga


2010 Southern Conference Softball Pitcher of the Week

Feb. 15

Lana Mackey, Furman

Feb. 22

Brooke Loudermilk, Chattanooga

March 1

Brooke Loudermilk, Chattanooga

March 8

Cory Mattson, UNC Greensboro

March 15

Brianna Streetmon, Georgia Southern

March 22

Kayla Suskauer, Furman

March 29

Amber Harrell, UNC Greensboro

April 5

Nikki Waters, Chattanooga

April 12

Kandice Irwin, Chattanooga