Friday, February 23
Macon, Ga.
2:30 P.M.
Mercer University
9-2
9
vs
0
Drexel
0-2
1
2
3
4
5
R
H
E
Drexel
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
Mercer
2
0
2
5
X
9
9
0
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Bilgri, Megan (3-1)
L: Grippe (0-1)
Batting:
2B: Sanchez, Laurenne 1 ; Lane, Megan 1 ; Jones, Allie 1
HR: Lane, Megan 1 ; Mauga, Quirisa 1
RBI: Rud, Meghan 1 ; Lane, Megan 3 ; Mauga, Quirisa 3 ; Warren, Shaila 1
SH: Rud, Meghan 1
SF: Lane, Megan 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Rud, Meghan 1 ; Sanchez, Laurenne 2 ; Lane, Megan 2 ; Mauga, Quirisa 1 ; Walsh, Abby 1 ; Jones, Allie 1 ; Warren, Shaila 1
Game Leaders
AB
2
R
2
H
2
RBI
3
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
3
AB
2
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
2
R
2
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
P
/ SoftballOF
/ SoftballC/OF
/ SoftballINF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
1B
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
Pitching Dominates in Day One of Black & Orange Challenge
2/23/2018 4:32:00 PM | Softball
Bilgri and Preston combine for just one run allowed
MACON, Ga. – Mercer swept through Drexel and Akron in day one of the Black & Orange Challenge hosted by Mercer at Sikes Field. The Bears defeated Drexel, 9-0, in game one behind a dominating perfect game from Megan Bilgri. Mercer then bested Akron by the final score of 5-1, plating five runs in the sixth inning for the late rally win. Stella Preston backed up Bilgri's performance with a complete game, striking out nine batters and surrendering just one run.
Game 1: Mercer 9, Drexel 0
Mercer wasted no time in scoring as Megan Lane blasted a two-run home run just three batters into the game for the early 2-0 advantage, a lead the Bears would not relinquish. Mercer doubled its lead in the third inning as Quirisa Mauga belted her first home run of the season, a two-run shot over the left center wall.
The Bears put the game well out of reach in the fourth inning, scoring five runs on three hits and one Dragon error. Mercer's first two runs of the inning came off a one-run single from Shaila Warren, bringing home Abby Walsh from third. Two runs came across to score on the very next at bat as Meghan Rud laid down a perfect squeeze play to bring home Allie Jones. Warren also scored on the play following a throwing error by the Drexel third baseman. Later in the inning Lane plated another run with a sacrifice fly to left, followed by an RBI single off the bat of Mauga, extending the Bears' lead to 9-0.
The story of the game was senior right hander, Megan Bilgri. The Illinois native tamed the Dragons, facing 15 batters and sitting all 15 down without a fight. Bilgri struck out two batters in the process to complete the perfect game.
Pitchers of Record
» Win: Megan Bilgri (3-1)
» Loss: Devon Grippe (0-1)
Game 2: Mercer 5, Akron 1
Game two proved to be more of a pitchers' duel as there were only three hits through the first three innings, all from the Bears. However, the Zips notched the first run of the game as Sydney Jascoe led off the fourth inning with a solo shot to left field, giving Akron the 1-0 advantage. The Zips threatened to score again in the inning until Stella Preston stranded runners on the corners to keep Mercer within striking distance.
The Mercer bats came to life in the bottom of the sixth inning when it mattered most, scoring five runs on four hits to take the 5-1 lead. Caroline Taylor knotted the game at two apiece with a two-run shot to left field, her third home run in as many games. Later in the inning with runners on second and third, Warren delivered a bases-clearing triple for the 4-1 lead. Rud capped off the inning with a single up the middle on the very next at bat, bringing Warren across the dish for the 5-1 advantage.
Stella Preston closed the game with a 1-2-3 inning, striking out two batters in the process. Preston finished the game with just four hits allowed, yielding one run. The sophomore pitcher struck out nine batters, matching her entire season total in just one game.
Pitchers of Record
» Win: Stella Preston (3-0)
» Loss: Kooper Vertz (0-2)
Stat of the Day
Mercer's pitchers dominated the day, combining for 12.0 innings pitched, four hits, one run and 11 strikeouts. The duo of Bilgri and Preston faced 40 batters on the day, getting the better of the competitors.
Player of the Day
Mercer had two standout performances on the day. Bilgri slammed the door shut with a perfect-game performance against Drexel in game one. Lane had a breakout day as well, finishing 4-for-4 at the plate with three RBIs and three runs scored.
Notables
» Megan Bilgri notched the program's first-ever perfect game following today's performance.
» Mercer tallied 16 hits on the day, plating 14 runs, outscoring opponents 14-1 on day one.
» Caroline Taylor continued her home run derby display, blasting her third long ball in as many days.
» Mercer improves to 10-2 on the season following Friday's sweep.
» The Bears picked up their first wins against Akron and Drexel in program history.
Record Update
» Mercer: 10-2
» Drexel: 0-2
» Akron: 1-10
Up Next
Mercer will be back in action tomorrow against Eastern Kentucky at 2 p.m. and Radford at 4:15 p.m. in day two of the Black & Orange Challenge at Sikes Field.
Follow the Bears
For complete coverage of Mercer Softball, please follow the Bears on social media at @MercerUSoftball (Twitter), /MercerSoftball (Facebook) and @MercerUSoftball (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.
Game 1: Mercer 9, Drexel 0
Mercer wasted no time in scoring as Megan Lane blasted a two-run home run just three batters into the game for the early 2-0 advantage, a lead the Bears would not relinquish. Mercer doubled its lead in the third inning as Quirisa Mauga belted her first home run of the season, a two-run shot over the left center wall.
The Bears put the game well out of reach in the fourth inning, scoring five runs on three hits and one Dragon error. Mercer's first two runs of the inning came off a one-run single from Shaila Warren, bringing home Abby Walsh from third. Two runs came across to score on the very next at bat as Meghan Rud laid down a perfect squeeze play to bring home Allie Jones. Warren also scored on the play following a throwing error by the Drexel third baseman. Later in the inning Lane plated another run with a sacrifice fly to left, followed by an RBI single off the bat of Mauga, extending the Bears' lead to 9-0.
The story of the game was senior right hander, Megan Bilgri. The Illinois native tamed the Dragons, facing 15 batters and sitting all 15 down without a fight. Bilgri struck out two batters in the process to complete the perfect game.
Pitchers of Record
» Win: Megan Bilgri (3-1)
» Loss: Devon Grippe (0-1)
Game 2: Mercer 5, Akron 1
Game two proved to be more of a pitchers' duel as there were only three hits through the first three innings, all from the Bears. However, the Zips notched the first run of the game as Sydney Jascoe led off the fourth inning with a solo shot to left field, giving Akron the 1-0 advantage. The Zips threatened to score again in the inning until Stella Preston stranded runners on the corners to keep Mercer within striking distance.
The Mercer bats came to life in the bottom of the sixth inning when it mattered most, scoring five runs on four hits to take the 5-1 lead. Caroline Taylor knotted the game at two apiece with a two-run shot to left field, her third home run in as many games. Later in the inning with runners on second and third, Warren delivered a bases-clearing triple for the 4-1 lead. Rud capped off the inning with a single up the middle on the very next at bat, bringing Warren across the dish for the 5-1 advantage.
Stella Preston closed the game with a 1-2-3 inning, striking out two batters in the process. Preston finished the game with just four hits allowed, yielding one run. The sophomore pitcher struck out nine batters, matching her entire season total in just one game.
Pitchers of Record
» Win: Stella Preston (3-0)
» Loss: Kooper Vertz (0-2)
Stat of the Day
Mercer's pitchers dominated the day, combining for 12.0 innings pitched, four hits, one run and 11 strikeouts. The duo of Bilgri and Preston faced 40 batters on the day, getting the better of the competitors.
Player of the Day
Mercer had two standout performances on the day. Bilgri slammed the door shut with a perfect-game performance against Drexel in game one. Lane had a breakout day as well, finishing 4-for-4 at the plate with three RBIs and three runs scored.
Notables
» Megan Bilgri notched the program's first-ever perfect game following today's performance.
» Mercer tallied 16 hits on the day, plating 14 runs, outscoring opponents 14-1 on day one.
» Caroline Taylor continued her home run derby display, blasting her third long ball in as many days.
» Mercer improves to 10-2 on the season following Friday's sweep.
» The Bears picked up their first wins against Akron and Drexel in program history.
Record Update
» Mercer: 10-2
» Drexel: 0-2
» Akron: 1-10
Up Next
Mercer will be back in action tomorrow against Eastern Kentucky at 2 p.m. and Radford at 4:15 p.m. in day two of the Black & Orange Challenge at Sikes Field.
Follow the Bears
For complete coverage of Mercer Softball, please follow the Bears on social media at @MercerUSoftball (Twitter), /MercerSoftball (Facebook) and @MercerUSoftball (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.
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