As the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga opens its softball season this weekend at Frost Stadium in the Chattanooga Challenge, beginning with two games today, two-time Southern Conference pitcher of the year Brooke Loudermilk will be only watching and cheering.
Loudermilk had surgery in Dallas last fall to correct nerve problems involving her shoulder, and UTC coach Frank Reed said it was "about 75 percent" likely that the junior would take a redshirt year. Right after the surgery, though, that figure was virtually 100 percent, but Loudermilk has made good progress and could be ready by the time the Lady Mocs get into conference play a month from now.
Reed said he didn't want to activate her later than that, and he emphasized that using her this year would be based strictly on her recovery and not on whether the team is struggling.

