CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga softball team begins its defense of three-straight Southern Conference championships on Friday at 1 p.m. against Florida Atlantic at the National Training Center Invitational in Clermont, Fla.

Today, GoMocs.com continues its six-part outlook breaking down the middle infielders. A video of head coach Frank Reed discussing the team's shortstops and second basemen can be accessed via the link above. The outlook concludes on Wednesday with a look at the outfield.

Jan. 31 - Season Overview/Schedule
Feb. 2 - Pitching Staff
Feb. 4 - Catchers
Feb. 6 - Corner Infield
Feb. 8 - Middle Infield
Feb. 10 - Outfield

Fans that want to catch all the Lady Mocs softball action at Frost Stadium can purchase a season pass for $55 that can be accessed from the link above. The pass is a 30% savings off individual ticket prices, provides access to the entire Frost Classic and shows your support for the softball program.

Part Five - Second Base

Depth can be found at second base with junior Kristin Holloway (Chickamauga, Ga.) and senior Tia Blosser (Knoxville, Tenn.) returning. Both have the defensive ability to be consistent player, but the squad is looking for increased offense from all positions this season.

"Both of them had very good fall seasons and are defensively sound," said Reed. "Tia may have a little more range, since she was a shortstop in the past. If both players are productive offensively, who starts may depend on who is pitching that day and what we are trying to do."

Blosser was an all-conference performer coming in as a freshman hitting .371 with 48 hits. She struggled offensively as a sophomore and junior, but the team is looking for her to bounce back and be more focused this season.

"Tia puts the time in, but hopefully as a senior, she realizes that putting the time in and taking the swings are not enough," said Reed. "She has applied herself more in the classroom. If she finds that same focus in the field, then she can be a very good player and has been there before [2007 All-Southern Conference First Team at second base.]"

Holloway showed the ability to come off the bench and be effective for Chattanooga as a left-handed batter. Last season, she played in 27 contests mainly as a defensive replacement and pinch hitter and runner.

Shortstop

Sophomore Jessica Traxler (Chino Hills, Calif.) and freshman Sara Poteat (Thomaston, Ga.) will battle for the shortstop position. Both players had a strong fall camp.

"Shortstop is going to be a race that we are going to have to figure out in how we use the talents of both players," said Reed. "A key to the race is who can put the numbers up, offensively and defensively, and most importantly be consistent."

Traxler came in as a freshman and started 42 games posting a .942 fielding percentage with 19 hits and 13 RBI. In her first season, she struggled at the plate with a sub-.200 batting average, but another year of experience could provide confidence heading into the season.

"Jessica has a great glove, fields the ball really well and understands the game," said Reed. "We like that quality in her. She has been a little inconsistent at times, where she will make a great play and miss an easy one, but maybe that is just being a freshman."

Poteat brings a different perspective from the offensive side because she is a left-handed hitter that can lay down a bunt and quickly get up the line. She can make the multiple throws that a shortstop needs  to make.

"Sara has tremendous power that she has never used before," said Reed. "I think as she progresses and sees herself get better, she will gain even more confidence. I think she can be very good."

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