AUBURN, Ala. – The Chattanooga Mocs softball team ends its run in the 2015 NCAA tournament with an 8-2 loss to the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles on Saturday afternoon. UTC concludes the season with a 35-15 mark, winning the Southern Conference tournament and advancing to an NCAA Regional for the second consecutive year and 10th overall.

Chattanooga was able to collect five hits and walks against the Golden Eagles but was unable to rally momentum against TTU’s defense. The in-state rival registered 12 hits and two multi-run innings.

The pitching trio of Taylor Deason, Cori Jennings and Kailey Palazzolo collaborated for four strikeouts, while TTU’s Danielle Liberatore took the win with four strikeouts of her own.

Palazzolo also contributed at bat for the Mocs as she smacked out her seventh double of the season. Sam Taylor, J.J. Hamill, Sarah Beth Roberts and Anyssa Robles also stayed productive at the bat with a single each.

The Mocs picked up their first run in the bottom of the third, as Roberts took advantage of loaded bases. The senior hit a single to second base, driving in Palazzolo from third. UTC notched its second run in the bottom of the seventh, as the Mocs once again loaded the bases. A second consecutive walk from Liberatore allowed Chattanooga to collect its final RBI.