Mercer University
Jacksonville
Bears Split With Jacksonville On Senior Day
4/30/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
MACON, Ga. – A one-hit performance by a junior and a late inning homerun by a sophomore sent three exceptional Mercer seniors out on a high note as the Mercer Bears split with Jacksonville on Senior Day at Sikes field.
The Bears (23-20, 5-13 A-Sun) cruised to a 1-0 win in game one on the strength of junior pitcher Jenni Holtz's one hit, seven strikeout performance, yet fell short in game two, losing 5-0. Sophomore Sara Stukes' seventh homerun of the season came in the bottom of the fifth and proved to be the winning run in game one.
Bears fans, administration and teammates honored seniors Holly Oglesbee, Stacey Condra and Brandy Keeter between Friday's doubleheader for four illustrious years of service the Bears softball program. The three appeared in 527 games combined in the Orange and Black and will leave an indelible mark on the Bears program with yet another regular season series against North Florida next week.
The three all received the start in game one and all had a measurable impact in the game. Oglesbee went 1-for-3 with a single in the fifth, Condra too added a single in the fifth going 1-for-2 in the game and Keeter caught all seven innings of Holtz's one hit complete game shutout.
“We had three very special seniors on this year's team,” head coach Mike Raynor said. “They all have meant a lot to this program and I am so proud of their contribution not only on the field but in the classroom as well.”
Holtz had seven strikeouts in her seventh shutout of the season and gave up just one hit in the first inning in her 15th win of the season.
“I thought the team came out with great energy and enthusiasm in game one,” Raynor said. “This is a spirited team and I don't think they have quit in them. They fought hard and I expect them to come and out and fight next week as well.”
In game two the Bears faltered at the plate and produced just four hits in the 5-0 shutout. However, one of the Bears hits came off the bat of senior Holly Oglesbee and further solidified her name in the Mercer record books. In the bottom of the fifth, Oglesbee lined a shot down the left field line and recorder her 48th career double, tying her with former Mercer standout Jamie Madurga for second place all-time.
In Oglesbee's four-year career at Mercer, the Fayetteville, Ga. native is the first player in program history to reach the 700 at bats plateau and holds onto first place in that category now with 713 plate appearances. She is also second in runs scored with 123 and second in hits with 211.
The Bears will finish out the 2010 regular season at home against North Florida next Friday with a doubleheader starting at 4 p.m.
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