Holtz Pitches Complete Game Shutout in Win Over URI
4/28/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
BOX SCORE - Game three vs. Rhode Island: W, 1-0
WOODSTOCK, Ga. – The Mercer Bears softball team walked away from day two of the Georgia Tech “Buzz Classic” with a win over the University of Rhode Island, and for the second day in a row it only took one run to do it.
In thrilling fashion, it took a senior to make the big play at the end of the game to give the Bears (13-7, 0-0 A-Sun) a tough 1-0 win over URI. In the bottom of the seventh inning with the game tied 0-0, the Bears did just what they needed; generate a run the old fashion way.
Sophomore Lilli Luke led off the inning with a single up the middle off of a 2-2 pitch and represented the winning run on first base. She would the advance to second on a well executed sacrifice bunt by fellow sophomore Megan Rutherford. The Bears next batter, Kristen Marko was pinch hitting for senior Stacey Condra and did her job and slapped a single to right field which allowed Luke to get to third on the play.
Then with the Bears down to their last out in the inning, senior Holly Oglesbee took an 0-1 pitch back up the middle of the infield scoring Luke from third.
“I thought we played well,” head coach Mike Raynor said. “I thought Lilli had a good game with two crucial hits today and of course she scored the winning run as well. Holly did her job and drove in the winning run and Jenni pitched great and kept us in the ball game.”
Jenni Holtz had her second start of the weekend and it was her second straight complete game shutout. So far in the tournament, Holtz has pitched 14 innings giving up just eight hits and striking out 22 batters.
Mercer will finish up the three-day tournament tomorrow with a pair of games against James Madison University and Seton Hall at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. respectfully.
