Mercer University
Virginia Tech
Softball Wins Two-of-Three on Road
2/19/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball
CHARLESTON, SC – The Mercer softball team took the field on three different occasions on Saturday winning twice over Charleston Southern and losing once to ACC foe Virginia Tech on the final day of the Buccaneer Invite.
After yesterday's game was postponed in the fifth inning due to darkness, the Bears (4-4, 0-0 A-Sun) were forced to complete the final two innings against Charleston Southern at 8 a.m. this morning. Mercer led 5-0 yesterday before play stopped and secured their third win of the season by the same score after two final scoreless innings today.
Senior pitcher Jenni Holtz struck out 11 Buccaneer batters in the 5-0 victory to become the first pitcher in Mercer softball history to go over the 800 plateau in her career. She also wrapped up her first complete-game shutout of the season and improved her overall record to 2-1 with the win.
The Bears had to turn things around quickly as they were originally scheduled to face Virginia Tech at 9 a.m. The sudden turnaround might have had an effect as the Hokies registered eight runs in the fifth and sixth innings and were able to run-rule the Bears in six.
Holtz received the start against Tech but was taken out after throwing four scoreless innings. That decision proved to be the turning point as Virginia Tech scored eight unanswered runs against the Bears next three pitchers. The loss put the Bears in the consolation game against Charleston Southern later in the afternoon.
The Bears offense generated just five hits against Virginia Tech pitcher Jasmin Harrell and senior second baseman Amanda Santa Maria paced the team with two. It was the second time in two games that the Bears were unable to score a run.
However, Mercer was able to bounce back in the consolation game against the Buccaneers, winning 5-1 to even back up their record to 4-4 on the year.
For the second day in a row it was a freshman that made the impact at the plate as Randi Rea had her first two RBI of her career with a pair of hits in the game. Yesterday, it was freshman Krista Kennedy that came up with the big hit recording her first-career home run.
Charleston Southern had eight errors in the second game thanks in part to the Bears aggressive base running. All told, MU base runners stole five bases in the game. Freshman McKenzie Woody added two to her season total and senior Anna Johnson also added one to her A-Sun-leading seven swipes on the year. Johnson has yet to be caught this year on the base pads.
The Bears open up their home schedule this Monday and Tuesday. Oakland University heads to Sikes Field on Monday for a doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m. On Tuesday, the Bears welcome Savannah St. for another doubleheader before going to the Phyllis Rafter Memorial hosted by Kennesaw St. next weekend.
